Osage Beach Planning Major Increase To Water & Sewer Rates, Public Hearing Set For March 21

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. — Upon Board of Alderman approval, the water and sewer rates in Osage Beach could see a huge percentage increase starting July 1, 2024.

In a press release, the City of Osage Beach said it has become necessary to increase user fee rates to operate the systems in a safe, lawful, and financially sound manner.

The proposed water rates would have a 34% aggregate increase while the proposed sewer rates (metered and flat rate) would have an 85% aggregate increase. This means a $381.48 annual increase for residents in-City with 5/8" metered systems, for example.

A public hearing will be held on March 21, 2024 at the 5:30 p.m. Board of Alderman meeting in Osage Beach City Hall. Proposed rate schedule changes were presented last month, and can be viewed here. The board will consider the first readings of the applicable bills following the hearing next month.

The City's water system was built in the early 2000s, and currently serves nearly 6,100 users. Eight wells and four water towers produced almost 380 million gallons of water for users. The sewer system is older, having been built in the 1980s, and serves nearly 7,100 users. Over the past four years, the number of utility users has grown 6% in both systems. Osage Beach gave a few other reasons why the fee rates should increase, below.

"Economic factors, including inflation and supply-chain issues which has greatly increased the costs of equipment, materials and labor, coupled with an increase in needed system repairs and improvements over the past 24 months has contributed to an unprecedented increase in system expenditures and use of financial reserves. Increases are needed for the purpose of operating, maintaining, and improving the water and sewer systems, and to replenish adequate reserves and ensure revenues for overall operation and maintenance of the system are generated."