City of Licking residential water user charges to decrease
Photo by Shari Harris
The City’s water tower as it appeared while getting a fresh coat of paint two years ago. Water rates were adjusted at the October council meeting.
By Shari Harris, Publisher
An ordinance passed at the October Board of Aldermen meeting will result in a lowering of monthly user charges for water for residents of the City of Licking.
At the meeting, a unanimous vote enacted ordinance 667, which repealed and replaced a prior ordinance establishing a higher water rate. Renegotiation of monthly user charges with the Missouri Department of Corrections for South Central Corrections Center has allowed the user charge rates for standard users to decrease.
Effective November 1, 2024, the standard user rate will be $9.39 for the first 1,000 gallons, plus $4.10 for each thousand gallons over. In April 2026, the rate will increase to $10.37 plus $4.34; in April 2028 it will go up to $10.45 and $4.55; and in 2029 it will rise to $11.02 and $4.59.
In other business, the Board accepted a letter of resignation from Deputy City Clerk Barbara Rodgers.
A citizen addressed the Board regarding the flash flooding experienced in September in the city. He asked the City to check culverts on North Main and replace those that are damaged. He also asked the City to raise the level of a manhole on Rust Street, to even with the road.
The Board voted to renew a CD for 5 months.
Department Head Reports:
Supt. of Utilities Rodney Sullins: The motor grader was used this week and is knocking again. The backhoe is also in bad shape. Sullins presented the board with an estimate for a used grader and a new backhoe, and advised they could be purchased over five years from his department’s budget, at a price of $56,000 per year. The Board approved and the old equipment will be traded in if possible. A road was built behind Licking Residential Care facility to allow the water project to begin. Tinhorns on North Main Street were checked during the flash flooding and were found to be full and flowing, with any temporary obstructions removed as it was found.
City Administrator/Clerk Rhonda Kirkwood: SCOCOG is helping with grants for playground equipment. The batting cages are being torn down and the desire is to put in basketball courts. A $500,000 grant (matching grant for $250,000 from the City) will allow the City to get equipment for both parks.
The Lead Service Line survey came in under budget, but the engineer advised for the City to not return unused funds yet, as there may be ways to use the money.
