Marble Hill may temporarily drop water rates

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Marble Hill aldermen had water on their mind Monday, from the 3 inches of water that seeped into the police department's evidence room to flooded streets and parks from three days of rainfall, to the chronic water and sewer issues and a mandate from the Department of Natural Resources to fix them.

City administrator Ron Lutes told the board the new remote-read water meters that will be installed throughout the city should be up and running by the end of February.

Because the meters will replace some old, inaccurate meters, some homeowners may receive higher-than-usual water bills because the older meters may not have been operating accurately.

For that reason, Lutes suggested the city consider lowering water rates for a six-month period to help residents adjust to the new meters and to see whether the city can do more with less.

Mayor Nick Hendricks supported the idea and asked Lutes to direct city attorney Alan Beussink to draw up an ordinance that would change rates.

"Our goal is to get new meters in, not generate more money because we have them," Hendricks said.

Beussink also will be asked to draw up an ordinance that will change who is responsible for the maintenance of water lines from private property to the city's meter and to establish easements for city water lines.

According to Lutes, the city has few easements along water lines and has no control when it comes to maintaining them. Establishing easements will make it clear who is responsible for repairing and maintaining the lines.

Pertinent address:

Marble Hill, Mo.