The Courier of Montgomery County reports that in order to generate $4.7 million to help offset growing infrastructure costs due to growth, the City of Conroe will put into effect a water fee for apartment complexes and other large water users.
The council plans to adopt next month a proposed budget of $342 million for 2025. Up from 2024, the budget has risen by $28 million. The city’s tax rate will remain the same at 42.72 cents per $100 valuation.
Implementing fees for hospitals, apartment complexes, hotels, restaurants and schools is being pursued by Councilmember Marsha Porter. Within the next two years, she says Conroe needs $54 million to construct four new water wells.
Some of the monthly fees, according to Porter, include charging each apartment $14 for water usage and $8 for sewer. There would also be a $20 water usage fee for restaurants.
Instead of incurring more debt, Councilmember David Hairel thinks the City should pay cash for four new water wells. He said he didn’t think the City should add to the debt.
Residential customers will see a slight decrease in water bills, as the council turns to large users to help offset the costs. The San Jacinto River Authority’s surface water conversion fee has dropped from $3.45 per 1,000 gallons to $3.19. For 5,000 gallons of water the average monthly bill will drop from $90.42 to $89.11.
There’s a 4% water rate increase in the budget for commercial customers.
Although they’re imposing a hiring freeze at present, the council will approve employee raises.
On August 22nd, the council will hold a public hearing on the budget. They will hold a public hearing on the tax rate September 12th. The budget will be adopted by the council for 2025 on September 12th.
