Mitchell City Council to review utility rates, discuss secondary water source in special meeting

MITCHELL — The Mitchell City Council will meet Monday to review utility rates and discuss the city’s goal of adding a secondary water source.

Over the past year, the city has been mulling over bringing a secondary water source to Mitchell — a move Mayor Bob Everson says helps position the city to grow. The special council meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in Mitchell.

Utility rates have been a hot topic in recent months, as the city raised water and sewer rates in 2021 to help fund critical infrastructure projects.

In 2021, water rates increased 54% from the previous year, which brought the monthly base rate to $9.21. The monthly base rate for sewer services jumped to $20.01 in 2021, marking a 50% increase from the previous year's $13.30 base rate. Sewer rates rose slightly in 2022, climbing to $22.01 per month.

The increases were largely aimed at helping fund critical infrastructure projects such as the roughly $18 million improvement project at the north wastewater treatment plant. The north wastewater treatment plant is where crews remove contaminants from wastewater or sewage, which allows it to be returned to the water cycle with minimum environmental impact.

As of now, the city’s sole water source is provided through B-Y Water District. A large pipe transports Mitchell’s water from the Missouri River.

Through the city’s exploration of adding a secondary water source, Everson said officials have looked at multiple options, including Randall Community Water District.