BEAUMONT, Texas — An upcoming Beaumont City Council vote could soon cost area community members more monthly.
Many Beaumont community members have complained about the quality of the water within the city. Now, those complaints have shifted to the cost as the city pitches a rate hike.
The price hike was proposed at an August 16, 2022 meeting.
Officials said they know community members need trash, water and sewer services. However, as those begin to cost the city more, officials said the city has to find a way to cover the cost.
Beaumont City Council members are looking for ways to decrease their spending as inflation impacts their everyday operations. The potential price hike proposed could affect the monthly bills of area community members.
Some long-time Beaumont residents said if prices continue to increase, they may not be able to afford to stay in the city.
“I don't like it,” Chris McGuirt, Beaumont resident said. “I am retired, and my income doesn't keep going up. Social security doesn’t pay enough. So, if they keep raising these rates and everything, the property taxes went up a pretty good bit, and now the other taxes go up, I will be forced to move out of Beaumont."
From water, to trash, to sewage, community members are facing a proposed 8% price increase from their current rates. For people who are currently struggling, the price hike could mean hard decisions.
“There is a lot of consider before they just throw that on someone else,” Ciara Henry, Beaumont resident, said. “Because you don't want to have somebody choose between putting food on their table or pay their bills. That's a hard choice.”
However, this increase is not yet set in stone, according to Councilman Mike Getz.
"We are looking at an reported rate increase," Getz said. "However, when you are looking at an 8 percent rate hike, I think that's a lot. I think you should be looking at ways to cut your expenses in order to minimize the amount of percentage that you have to go up."
The rate hike was not voted on at a Tuesday, August 23, 2022 meeting. However, Getz said the vote will be on next week's agenda.
Anyone who would like to share a public comment is encouraged to go to the Tuesday, August 30, 2022 meeting at City Hall at 1:30 p.m.