Carrollton residents should prepare to shell out more for their showers and sprinklers come New Year’s, as the city council has approved a rate hike on water and wastewater services. In a move that’s sure to trickle down to consumers’ wallets, the increase sanctioned last Tuesday will spike utility bills starting January 1, 2024, as per the City of Carrollton, Texas.
The uptick in prices is an effort to keep pace with swelling costs from providers like Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) and the Trinity River Authority (TRA), and not to forget, a dire need for funding essential infrastructure upgrades. This comes after Carrollton dodged a rate rise in fiscal years 2021 and 2022, aiming to tightly leash expenses for its inhabitants.
As bills adjust to the new normal, the average increase is expected to skim around 5 percent, with the least water-dependent folk facing an additional $1.27 monthly. Meanwhile, a residential customer guzzling 10,000 gallons a month will see their bill inflate by $3.67, according to the City of Carrollton, Texas.
Despite the uptick, Carrollton's Chief Financial Officer Diana Vaughn stands firm on the city’s commitment to cost containment, telling residents, “The City did not raise rates in FY21 and FY22 as keeping costs low for residents remains a priority. However, small increases for FY 23 and FY24 are needed to pay for increases in utility operating and capital expenses.” Surely designed to ease the sting, Carrollton still boasts of ranking as the second least expensive water and wastewater provider among 20 surrounding cities, per the City of Carrollton, Texas.
