And the Rates at TBCD Go Up, Up!

By Gloria Roemer  

   We knew it was coming … it became official at the Trinity Bay Conservation District (TBCD) board meeting last Wednesday that water/sewer rates would be increasing for the 2024-2025 budget year. We must remember that TBCD consists of two separate entities that operate from two different revenue sources… (1) drainage, which is called the general fund and (2) water/sewer. Drainage is sustained by ad valorem taxes which is a tax on properties within its boundaries and water/sewer is sustained by user (consumer) fees, those who use the water and/or sewer services or both. The drainage side of TBCD has been able to remain stable due to increases in the appraisal values of properties every year. Drainage has been able to technically lower the tax rate due to the property values increases. Last fiscal year TBCD’s tax rate was 0.314971 and TBCD proposes a tax rate cut to 0.296163. Even though the tax rate is going down, the actual cost to the property tax payer will increase, again, due to the appraised value increase.

  Water/sewer is another story. TBCD approved a “cost of service” adjustment for the 2024-2025 water/sewer rate last week. TBCD President Victor Carraway stated “that due to past boards refusing to address the need to increase rates so TBCD can properly maintain its plants, TBCD is now having to play “catch-up” on a lot of critical infrastructure” which are primarily water tanks and pipelines. General Manager Jerry Shadden informed the Board that due to prices increases on chemicals and materials, this year-end budget will be minus $450,000. The new fees will help cover those expenses. The flat sewer rate will increase $2 and the gallonage costs will increase from $5 to $6.

  Most water/sewer customers are not aware that just to have water/sewer, without ever turning on a faucet and using a drop of water, the customer is charged a flat $40 “fee” for water and $10 “fee” for sewer. This fee is called “capital improvement fee” in the budget. What it actually means is that the customer is paying this money to pay the interest on a loan taken out by TBCD years ago. The loan has been refinanced several times. So ever year TBCD has to pay over $980,000 in interest and that amount comes from the consumer as a flat fee. Everyone pays it if you want water/sewer.

  Also, Joey and Sam Wallace from Wallisville came to the meeting and presented jars filled with dirty water from their faucets. Shadden commented that the water looks a lot cleaner now than it did years ago. He also talked about how aging pipes and water plants contribute to the dirt in the water. Shadden also talked about how the water in Wallisville comes from as far north as the Trinity River in Dallas which causes a lot of sedimentation to collect in the water as it flows downward. Shadden also stated that TBCD has been fighting an increase in magnesium in the water.