Council approves cut to water rates

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TRINITY — The Trinity City Council reversed itself on sewer and water rates on Monday.

At a special meeting, the council approved cutting rates in half, particularly for sewer use.

For residential customers within the city limits, water use rates changed to $5 per 1,000 gallons up to 10,000, and $7 per 1,000 for more than that. The minimum monthly charge remained the same at $27.83. Outside the city limits, the minimum charge remains $57.75, but the 2,000-10,000 per 1,000-gallon price dropped to $8 and the price for more than 10,000 gallon drops to $10 per 1,000 gallons.

For sewer rates, minimum charges remain the same, but the per-1,000-gallon rate is now $5 for residential and $6.03 for commercial accounts.

The council recently changed the fees for reconnecting service from $30 to $50 for the first three reconnections, and then to $75 thereafter, because of customers who frequently have service disconnected.

Other rate changes and additional information can be found on the city’s website at www.cityoftrinity.com.

At the council’s Thursday regular meeting, the council discussed problems with filling the police chief position, left vacant following the resignation of Daniel Kee.

Mayor Billy Goodin said the most recent withdrew, citing salary concerns.

Some council members said that the ideal candidate would be one who is young and energetic and willing to prove themselves by moving from patrol into admin. Mayor Pro Tem Phillip Morrison said that he believes a retired officer would be best, since young candidates will move on once they get experience.

Council member Bubba Smith said that while the council needs to reconsider salary offerings, since most of the candidates ask for $15,000-$20,000 more, police chiefs tend to start out well but slack off, and he can’t see paying for that kind of performance.

However, Council Member Scott Womack said that the city is paying its officers around $8,000 per year less than entry-level officers at Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

He also said part of the reason the department was in the shape it is was because it previously had no oversight, so that the city was essentially starting from the ground up.

Former police chief and city manager Steve Johnson has offered to use his connections to search for a candidate.

In other business, the council:

  • discussed generator repairs and will seek bids; and

•set the Independence Day celebration for July 5 to save costs on the fireworks display.