The Wharton City Council held its regularly-scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday to discuss the 2021-22 proposed budget, utility and service rates, and to set public hearing.
Unanimously, council members approved a proposed property tax rate of $0.41047/$100.
Property owners save a whopping $0.027 per $100 compared to the current rate.
Unfortunately, the tax rate will be the only savings city residents and businesses can expect to see with the upcoming year.
The council body unanimously approved rate increases for city utilities and services.
Solid Waste
Beginning Oct. 1, 2021, solid waste services/garbage services will increase by 3%. This equates to a monthly increase of $0.64 for residential customers, and a monthly increase of $0.84 for commercial customers.
The base rate for residential customers, which includes a $3.00 city fee, is $25.07 per month, while the base rate for commercial customers, which includes a $3.50 city fee, is $32.29.
Water and Sewer
Also effective Oct. 1, is a 10% increase on all city water and sewer utilities.
The minimum charge for water in the city of Wharton went from $25.91 to $28.51.
Sewer rates followed suit with a minimum charge going from $27.83 to $30.62.
Wharton residents will now pay a minimum monthly payment of $84.20 to the city.
These increases were explained as a way to offset costs incurred from ongoing water well and waste water projects within the city.
Budget Hearing
City of Wharton Finance Director Joan Andel presented council members the revised proposed budget for a final glance over before setting a public hearing date.
Councilman Russell Machann was the only member to suggest a change to the budget; awarding the Wharton Chamber of Commerce $30,000 out of the Hotel/Motel Tax Revenue, instead of the proposed amount $12,000.
The public hearing for the 2021-22 City of Wharton proposed budget is set for Sept. 13, 2021 at 7 p.m.
For more information, or view meetings, minutes or agendas, visit www.cityofwharton.com.
