Austin Water committee meets to discuss possible rate hike
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Officials with the Austin Water Utility met Wednesday to once again discuss a potential rate hike.
It was the committee’s eighth meeting, putting the agency about halfway through the rate increase process. The Joint Committee includes the Resource Management Commission, the Water and Wastewater Commission and the Impact Fee Advisory Committee.
Experts say if they don't raise rates, they risk losing money, especially if the drought continues in 2012.
"We are trying to do it to sort of remedy that situation, so during a drought or during water conservation, we don't lose as much revenue and we are stable," David Anders with Austin Water said.
Officials said that because of extreme drought and water conservation measures, the utility is slightly under budget for this year.
Rate changes could be in place as soon as November.