Water and sewer rates are the main topic of discussion at Baytown city council’s work session this week.
The work session, during which items are only discussed but not voted on, begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Team Room inside the Community Center, 2407 Market St.
In May, council approved amending the utility rate structure, effectively returning the sewer cap temporarily until August. Council had previously discussed returning the sewer cap on April 11 as a
way of providing some temporary relief in relation to the sewer usage. This put the cap back at the previous usage amount of 12,000 gallons, city officials said. The return went into effect June 1 and the billing for this month is not taking place until July.
For the work session, the discussion of the water and sewer rate structure will include the impact of a sewer cap.
The sewer cap is a monetary term used to described how Baytonians were not charged after using 13,000 gallons for sewage before 2023. However, a cap removal went into effect and people were charged for sewer usage.
“This will provide feedback to the consultants as they work to complete their study,” Jason Calder, City of Baytown spokesman, said.
“Ultimately, the information will provide direction for rate recommendations for the next fiscal year.”
A joint meeting between city council and the Baytown Municipal Development District will follow the work session at 6:30 p.m. tonight in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 2401 Market St.
During the MDD portion of the meeting,
council will consider receiving the MDD’s proposed $8.7 million budget for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Council will also consider setting a public hearing on the proposed budget on July 11 at an MDD meeting.
Another MDD item involves council considering authorizing an engagement letter with RubinBrown, LLC to help prepare financial statements for the Baytown Hyatt Regency Convention and Hotel
project. RubinBrown is a firm that specializes in supporting a range of services, including tax and business consulting. According to the agenda item on the city’s website, there is no fiscal impact.
Another public hearing will take place in the regular council session regarding the proposed updated Unified Land Development Code and zoning map. This concerns repealing and replacing the city’s ULDC
and zoning map. A public hearing was held last week at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Council will hold another public hearing on the matter at its July 11 meeting.
A public hearing on the Service and Assessment Plan for the Bay Creek Improvement District is also scheduled for the regular council meeting. The hearing is for people to voice their opinion on the proposed special
assessment levy for Phase No. 1 Assessment Role for Phase No. 1 of the Bay Creek PID. The proposed special assessment levy for the Phase No. 1 improvements is about $20 million.
“The developer requested the PID for improvements to the Bay Creek development,” Calder said. “If approved, this would be a 30-year self-assessment for major improvements and amenities to the development. A PID allows
the city to dictate what it would like to see as part of those improvements, which is different than a MUD.”
A special council meeting has also been scheduled at 8 a.m. Friday in the new Public Safety Building in the Community Room, 3200 North Main St. Council members will discuss their goals, policies and vision for 2025.
The full agenda items can be found by clicking here.
