Increase will be first rate change since 2014

By Jessica Breger Special to the Monett Monthly

Monett City Council held a public hearing before the March regular council meeting to hear public input on changes to water and sewage rates.

“No one likes raising rates” said Mayer Randy Burke, noting that rates have not been raised in the city since 2014.

Burke said after reviewing the city’s finances, however, a rate change is needed to prevent the city from falling into debt.

With price increases to the city for these utilities, Burke said if something is not done, the city will be “in the red” by approximately $750,000 by the end of the fiscal year.

The plan presented will have a price increase every year from 2025 to 2029, with the largest increase being the first with the base rate going from $12 to $20. The city is expected to make the hike official at the April meeting.

Burke said that even with the rate increases, at the end of the increase period, Monett will still be charging less for the utilities than surrounding areas.

Burke said that this could have an impact on future maintenance and updates for the city utilities, as well. 

Borrowing money for future projects, such as to the wastewater treatment facilities, could face challenges if lenders see the accounts in the red, according to Burke.

The city is looking toward updating the water treatment facility to better filter water with an updated oxidation ditch at the facility.

During the regular council meeting, the city approved a budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2025 ending March 31, 2026.

The budget presented and approved is for $55,155,423, which is a decrease from the previous year’s budget.

During a work session of the city council on March 28, members discussed ways to help local businesses in the area. City Manager Mickey Ary suggested hiring an additional city attorney to help the city and local businesses better coordinate. 

Having been approached by a local business that had questions on ordinances that prohibited certain deliveries, Ary suggested it would be in the city’s interest to have legal council look over city ordinances. 

This may allow for businesses to more easily serve local customers and bring businesses up to date with delivery options as well.

Regular City Council Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Monett School District Board Room, with video available on the city’s website the following day.