By: Lydia Crawley

Parsons’ lawyer

Following a second reading of the water rate increase, the City of Thomas approved an increase that would increase the minimum bill from $22.34 to $39.28 in two steps. Mayor Jody Flanagan and City Attorney Natalie Thomas explained the rate increase and completed a second, final reading of the water rate increase at a Thomas City Council meeting on August 13.th.

According to Flanagan, the city was unable to get the grants paid out because it was not in compliance with regulations that required water rates in the city of Thomas to be set at 1.5% of median household income. Flanagan said the city also cannot receive any more loans or grants until it raises its water rates to the 1.5% of median household income. “We can’t get any money because we’re not in compliance,” Flanagan said. “Even the grants that we’ve secured won’t be paid out until our water rates are up to the standard that they should be, which is one and a half percent of median household income.”

According to Flanagan, the MHI is set by the U.S. Census and is determined by the number of participating households in the city. According to Flanagan, Thomas’ current MHI is $51,429. “So everyone who gets these censuses absolutely needs to fill them out and send them back because that actually reduces the cost of water and utilities,” Flanagan said.

The rate increase will go into effect in two phases, according to Thomas, with the first scheduled for the end of September and involving an increase in the current rate of $22.34 for a minimum bill of 2,020 gallons to $33.06. “The first step would be effective September 27th.th”, said Thomas.

The second increase will come after the first phase of the water project is completed, officials said, and the minimum bill for 2,020 gallons will then rise from $33.06 to $39.28.

The measure was adopted unanimously by all members present.