Utility rates increases on the table for West Plains

An increase in electric, water, sewer, and sanitation rates is in the near future for residents of West Plains. The city council passed the first reading of the increases during the Monday, Oct. 19 meeting.

 

City Administrator Sam Anselm explained to council that, "The combined rate increases will add up to between $5.00 and $7.00 per month based on usage per household." Those increases break down to $3.95 a month per household for electric, $0.69 a month per household for water, $0.72 a month per household for sewer, and $0.60 a month per household.

 

Anselm went on to state that there were no increases passed in 2025 for water and sewer. "We are trying to keep the increases as small as we can to maintain the operation of each of those utilities." He explained that the city is working on infiltration and inflow issues for sewer, ensuring the water pipes do not have lead in them and for electric it's the purchasing power, "Which is the largest single expenditure in our entire city, with cost increases we have to keep up with those costs."

 

Mayor Mike Topliff added, "We haven't got a nasty letter from DNR so we're slowly making those improvements that we're on the hook to make before they lower the hammer so to speak."

 

City resident Mike Meyers spoke out against the increases stating, "They tell us that by conserving the water that will keep our bills down so we conserve, and then the bill goes up regardless of whether we saved or not. The consumers are getting hammered."

 

Bills 4836 electric, Bill 4837 water, Bill 4838 sewer, and Bill 4839 sanitation rates first readings were approved. The next meeting where the second and final reading/vote is on the agenda will be held on Monday, Nov. 16.

 

Consent Agenda Items Approved:

-Approval of Minutes for September 18, 2026, Special Meeting; September 21, 2026, Regular Meeting; and September 29, 2026, Special Meeting plus Work Session; Approval of Disposal of Records for Prosecuting Attorney Department; PS 002.04: Criminal Case Files–Driving While Intoxicated, 2006-2015, 3 cubic feet; PS 002.08: Criminal Case Files–Misdemeanors, Infractions, Ordinance; and Other Violations, 2014-2022, 75 cubic feet; Finance Department: MS 1602: Customer Account File-Utility, 1943-1945, 2006, 0.3 cubic feet Housing Authority Board Appointment, Pat Smith, renewing a 4-year term set to expire November 2030.

 

Resolutions-Approved:

-Resolution 2026-19-A resolution of the city council of the City of West Plains, Missouri, approving the appointment of Jodi B. Brunson as the city prosecutor and authorizing the city administrator to execute an agreement for legal services.

 

Ordinances-Approved:

-Bill 4831 to become Ordinance 4831-Second reading-An ordinance of the City of West Plains, Mo., amending Chapter 18–Courts: Section 18-23–Designation of acting municipal judge; vacancy in office of municipal judge, of the City of West Plains Municipal Code.

-Bill 4832 to become Ordinance 4832-Second reading-An ordinance of the City of West Plains, Mo., amending Article III of Chapter 28 by enacting a new section 28-88 relating to hemp-derived and intoxicating cannabinoid products to conform to new legislation (HB 2641) passed this year by the Missouri General Assembly which is effective November 12, 2026.

-Bill 4833-First reading-An ordinance of the City of West Plains approving the adoption of the budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2027 and ending December 31, 2027.

-Bill 4834-First reading-An ordinance approving the adoption of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) #2 budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2027 and ending December 31, 2027.

-Bill 4835-First reading-An ordinance approving the adoption of a fee schedule for certain city services and approvals by the City of West Plains, Mo.

-Bill 4836-First reading-An ordinance increasing electric rates for customers of the City of West Plains, Mo.

-Bill 4837-First reading-An ordinance increasing water rates for customers of the City of West Plains, Mo.

-Bill 4838-First reading-An ordinance increasing sewer rates for customers of the City of West Plains, Mo.

-Bill 4839-First reading-An ordinance increasing sanitation rates for customers of the City of West Plains, Mo.

-Bill 4840-First reading-An ordinance of the City of West Plains, Mo., approving a standard ground lease agreement for the West Plains Regional Airport and authorizing the city administrator to execute such lease agreements from time to time with individual lessees.