Water rates will be going up

If Independence residents didn’t have the need to conserve water before, they may need to now. Residential water rates in the city may increase by 9 percent for the next four years if the measure is passed by the City Council in September.

Monday night, the council heard the first reading of an ordinance that would authorize a water rate increase for residential customers. If approved, the increase would be effective beginning Oct. 1.

City Manager Robert Heacock said the average residential water bill would increase by $1.27 per month.

“We are talking about four years of change,” Heacock said. “Beginning Oct. 1 and for the next three years.”

Heacock said an independent cost analysis showed the average residential customer in Independence using 5,984 gallons of water per month would see monthly bills increase from $16.84 to $18.11, an increase of $1.27 a month or 4 cents per day.

The study compared the rate to the residential monthly rates in Blue Springs for the same amount of water at $21.30, $22.15 in Lee’s Summit and $24.20 in Kansas City.

“This is something that happens on occasion,” Heacock said. “Every three or four years we get an assessment analysis from and outside firm to see where we are at. Historically our water rates are one of the lowest in the metro area.”

The study, conducted by Black and Veatch, also determined that industrial and wholesale rates would increase as well. Independence sells wholesale water to other cities in Eastern Jackson County, including Blue Springs, Sugar Creek, Oak Grove, Lee’s Summit, and Buckner. The Black and Veatch’s study will be presented Thursday to the city’s Public Utilities Advisory Board. 

“We are still lower than four or five other cities around us,” Mayor Don Reimal said. “That’s always good; to be competitive.”

The City Council will vote on the proposed ordinance Tuesday, Sept. 2. The regularly scheduled Monday City Council meeting will be moved back a day in observance of Labor Day.