Although a rate increase is certain to be implemented soon, Parsons city commissioners are still trying to decide exactly how to increase revenue in the stormwater utility fund.
During 2019 budget planning in the summer, city staff recommended that the stormwater rate for residential customers be raised from $3.50 per month to either $4.50 or $5. Commercial rates under that plan would be raised by the same amount, from $4.50 per month to either $5.50 or $6, but city commissioners now think commercial utility customers should shoulder more of the burden because their larger buildings and parking lots create more stormwater runoff into the city’s drainage system.
During a Thursday work session, City Manager Debbie Lamb presented the commission with 11 scenarios, ranging from keeping the two rates the same to raising the residential rate to $5 and the commercial rate to $10. The latter would raise an additional $109,194 annually for the stormwater fund.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)