Rural Retreat council weighs water-rate structure as staff reports water-line, pump upgrades

Council members spent substantial time reviewing water and sewer billing data and recent infrastructure work. The treasurer reported the town processes about 1,000 water and sewer bills monthly; roughly 400 customers (about 40%) use 2,000 gallons or less and about 275–280 of those low-usage accounts are inside town limits. Council discussed the current minimum charge (set at 2,000 gallons) and the stepped rate structure (next steps at 4,000, 6,000 and higher bands).

The finance reader gave current rate detail during the meeting: the in-town minimum was reported as $25.76 for the 2,000-gallon minimum, with incremental per-1,000-gallon rates applied as usage increases. Council members noted that the town’s rates are substantially below regional averages, which staff said limits eligibility for some federal funding programs that expect communities to charge adequate utility rates.

Separately, staff reported infrastructure progress: new water lines and a fire hydrant were installed on Route 11/Alice Chambers Road, the town has charged the lines and will test water through the health department, and wiring at the wastewater-plant well pump is nearly complete pending power connection. Much of the work used ARC funding, and staff said the system is producing varying daily volumes but remains adequate to serve current customers and potential near-term growth.

Council characterized future changes to rates as a budget decision and asked staff to research options (including the possibility of lowering the minimum to 1,000 gallons) and to provide data on low-usage customers. No formal rate change was proposed or voted on during the meeting.