The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Published February 8, 2023

Osage Beach looks to raise water, sewer rates

OSAGE BEACH - The city will be holding a public hearing on March 2 on a possible increase in water and sewer rates for city users.

The last rate increase was in 2018 and should have been addressed in 2020 but COVID-19 came about and was one of the factors in the rate increase delay.

“The city is committed to operating its water and sewer systems in a safe, lawful, and financially sound manner, and to provide excellent water and sewer utility services,” said City Administrator Jeana Woods.  “To achieve this goal, it has become necessary to increase user fee rates.”

According to Woods, the proceeds of such user fees are needed for the purpose of operating, maintaining, and improving the water and sewer systems.

The proposed rate schedule changes are anticipated to be effective May 1, 2023, upon Board of Aldermen approval.

A Public Hearing will be held on March 2, 2023, at the 6:00 p.m. Board of Aldermen meeting at City Hall.

The Board of Aldermen was presented with rate schedule change details at last Thursday’s Board meeting.

It is recommended that an average increase of 12 percent be approved. This comes to 13 percent for sewer and 11 percent for water.

The increase is needed, according to the city, to fund the operations of each system and provide adequate reserves for depreciation and replacement.

Cost estimates used in the calculation for each fund were based on recent cost trends and forecasted data for a three-year period.

Current Position – Water system

• Majority of system was built in early 2000s
• Nearly 250 miles of water line, 8 wells, 4 towers and 999 fire hydrants to maintain
• Nearly 6,100 users -5.4% increase since 2019
• Residential users = 87% -5% increase since 2019
• 151 non-metered users
• Commercial users = 13% -4% increase since 2019
• 41 non-metered users
• Billed Consumption –Fiscal Year 2022 = 346 million gallons, average 3% growth annually since 2019

Current Position – Sewer system

• Majority of the system was built in the mid-1980s
• Approximately 153 miles of sewer line, over 1,200 grinder stations and 59 lift stations to maintain
• Nearly 7,100 users –4.7% growth since 2019
• Residential users = 86% -5% increase since 2019
• Over 1,100 non-metered users
• Commercial users = 14% -4% increase since 2019
• Nearly 270 non-metered users
• WWTP Flows –FY2022 = 388 million gallons; average 8% decrease in flows annually since 2019

Woods said the Missouri Department of Natural Resources requires adequate reserves for asset management & replacement so adjustments to funding are needed for both the water and sewer funds.

The proposed water and sewer rates, if approved by the Board of Aldermen, vary depending on the size of the line.

Current water rates

• 5/8 inch line $20.48 (in-city) $88.29 (out-of-city)
• 1 inch line $28.24 (in-city) $123.13 (out-of-city)
• 1.5 inch line $35.98 (in-city) $157.97 (out-of-city)
• 2 inch line $57.30 (in-city) $253.76 (out-of-city)
• 3 inch line $214.38 (in-city) $959.17 (out-of-city)
• 4 inch line $272.40 (in-city) $1,220.43 (out-of-city)
• 6 inch line $330.54 (in-city) $1,481.69 (out-of-city)

Water rates with proposed increase (effective May 1)

• 5/8 inch line $22.73 (in-city) $98.00 (out-of-city)
• 1 inch line $31.35 (in-city) $136.67 (out-of-city)
• 1.5 inch line $39.94 (in-city) $175.35 (out-of-city)
• 2 inch line $63.60 (in-city) $281.67 (out-of-city)
• 3 inch line $237.96 (in-city) $1,064.68 (out-of-city)
• 4 inch line $302.36 (in-city) $1,354.68 (out-of-city)
• 6 inch line $366.90 (in-city) $1,644.68 (out-of-city)

Current sewer rates (metered. Non-metered users are charged a flat rate)

• 5/8 inch line $16.11 (in-city) $35.03 (out-of-city)
• 1 inch line $21.64 (in-city) $48.15 (out-of-city)
• 1.5 inch line $27.20 (in-city) $61.28 (out-of-city)
• 2 inch line $42.46 (in-city) $97.36 (out-of-city)
• 3 inch line $154.85 (in-city) $363.08 (out-of-city)
• 4 inch line $196.48 (in-city) $461.49 (out-of-city)
• 6 inch line $238.11 (in-city) $559.92 (out-of-city)

Sewer rates with proposed increase (effective May 1)

• 5/8 inch line $18.20 (in-city) $39.58 (out-of-city)
• 1 inch line $24.45 (in-city) $54.41 (out-of-city)
• 1.5 inch line $30.74 (in-city) $69.25 (out-of-city)
• 2 inch line $47.98 (in-city) $110.02 (out-of-city)
• 3 inch line $174.98 (in-city) $410.28 (out-of-city)
• 4 inch line $222.02 (in-city) $521.48 (out-of-city)
• 6 inch line $269.06 (in-city) $632.71 (out-of-city)

As an example, someone using 5,000 gallons a month currently pays $25.32 per month for water and $25.03 per month for sewer for a total of $50.35 per month.

After the rate increase, the same 5,000 gallons will cost $28.09 (water) and $28.98 (sewer) for a total of $56.37

After the public hearing on March 2 the board will decide to approve (or not) the first reading of the new water and sewer rates.

The majority of the city’s water system was built in the early 2000s and currently serves nearly 6,100 users.

The majority of the City’s sewer system was built in the 1980s and currently serves nearly 7,100 users.

All content is Copyright 2023 by Reporter Publishing, L.L.C. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited without written permission.