Willard area residents speak out on potential water and sewage rate increase

WILLARD, Mo. – Water and sewage customers in the Willard area are speaking out after a new report says their rates could be going up.

These rate hikes come as the city prepares to improve the water and sewage system, improvements that Willard Mayor Troy Smith says are necessary.

“We have a lot of needs for our water towers, they need maintenance. Our pumps consistently need maintenance,” said Smith. “If you look at our reports, the department had reports at public works, you know, water main breakthrough multiple times per week. And it’s important to understand that it’s not a problem as indigenous to Willard is this is going on almost every city in the country. We have aging infrastructure that needs to be addressed.”

The report shows that people living outside city limits would be paying more than those living in Willard.

“You cannot tell me that the cost of serving me water is 50% more than the people who live across the street from me and the people who live three doors down from me,” says one of the water and sewage customers who spoke at tonight’s meeting.

David O’Connor is another rural customer; he says the surcharge is outdated.

“My suggestion was we basically get rid of the surcharge. Everybody, both inside and outside of the city limits gets treated the same. I understand that there are costs, there are rate increases that are necessary for the city,” O’Connor said.

Right now, there is no timeline for when these rates could take effect. There is another meeting two weeks from today where a vote could take place.

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