In 2021, the City of Republic hired Burns & McDonnell (an engineering firm out of Kansas City) to conduct a study pertaining to water and sewer rates. As you are hopefully aware, as noted in the Water Works publication you received previously, the City has been under a compliance agreement with Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) since 2011. In order to meet this agreement and the requirements of the Clean Water Act, large capital improvements to the City's wastewater system are necessary. Unfortunately, the tightening regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the local watersheds required us to invest significantly into the way our sewer is treated. Adding to the overall cost of the sewer utility, the Republic voters in 1999 chose to locate the treatment facility on the northwest side of the City, which is uphill. This required a very expensive and elaborate collection and pumping system.
Below you will find the new rate schedule and an example bill of different user types, as well as a comparison to the region for average utility bills. These rates are based upon the increasing cost of providing the services to the home and the investment into the system necessary to meet compliance regulations. The rate study was conducted by an independent 3rd party and recommended to the City Council to ensure that the least amount of impact necessary is imposed to the ratepayer. A public hearing was held on October 4, 2022 and final approval was given on October 18, 2022.
For more information, please contact the BUILDS Department (417-732-3150) for copies of the Water Works publication, rate study, or Capital Improvement Plan for utilities. If you have questions or concerns regarding your bill or future bill, please contact the Utility Billing Department (417-732-3136).
Technical Rate Memo
Rate Increase Letter to Citizens