Longview,TX — Longview City Council members reflected Thursday on the city’s proposed $152.1 million budget, noting water and sewer rate increases in particular.

If approved as presented, this will mark the third year Longview residents will see an increase in their bills.

As proposed, a bill for an average customer using 7,000 gallons of water with a 5/8-inch meter would increase from $49.87 to $53.45 a month for a difference of $3.58.

For many years, the price of providing water and sewer increased but was not passed on to customers, said City Manager David Willard.

A 2008 study recommended the city raise water and sewer rates. The city elected to pass those costs on to residents incrementally. This year will likely not be the last rate increase, Willard said in a previous budget presentation.

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