By Paris Rain, FOX23.com News Staff
GLENPOOL, Okla. — People living in Glenpool will see an increase in their utility rates beginning in July.
This increase comes after a utility study. Monday night, city councilors voted to raise bills by about $13 per month for the average customer, which is nearly 15%.
The city was recommended to make this increase after the utility rate study conducted last fiscal year. Some people who’ve lived in Glenpool for years said that with everything being expensive, everyone can’t budget for these surprises.
The City of Glenpool recently received $44 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to help build a new $64 million wastewater facility that is said to serve Glenpool for many years.
However, the city said that without raising the rates, they wouldn’t be able to pay back a loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board over time.
Glenpool said they are just now making these changes because over the past decade, the city tried to take on the rising utility costs while maintaining and improving critical infrastructure.
The Glenpool Utility Service Authority started reviewing the water and sewer rates last fiscal year in response to increasing debt service requirements and higher operating costs.
Following the study, Glenpool said rate increases were recommended. It’s a decision many residents didn’t agree with.
“I’m not saying I have the solution, but it’s not that easy for a lot of people,” said Heather Joy, a Glenpool resident. “There are a lot of seniors in Glenpool, and you have to live on what you have.”
“It just seems that they always feel that they can ask for more,: said resident Kathern Williams. “People are having to watch their money. There isn’t always more. Sometimes, you just have to learn to live on what you have.”
During the meeting, officials discussed a potential rebate program to help residents in need of financial assistance, particularly those on fixed incomes or with disabilities.
Finance Director Josh Brannon said the program would be based on pre-existing criteria to streamline the process.
Officials said utility costs have risen nearly 50% over the last decade. Without a rate increase, they warn that the utility could face deficits by 2028, potentially affecting city services.
