Warden City Council members Byron Starkey, Omar Pruneda, Mayor Tony Massa and council member and Mayor-elect Rosaelia Martinez listen to staff reports during Tuesday’s regular meeting, during which the council approved water and sewer rate increases and the 2024 final budget.
Gabriel Davis/Columbia Basin Herald
November 28, 2023
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Warden raises rates, approves budget
WARDEN — The Warden City Council unanimously approved the city’s final 2024 budget, as well as increases to both sewer and water utility rates, a public emergency for a well repair and an interlocal agreement with the Grant County Health District during Tuesday’s regular meeting. Warden City Administrator Kriss Shuler started by introducing the water utility rate increase. “This is the material that was reviewed by council for the rate increase for the water utility. We did discuss that the water utility has not been increased since 2016. We are supposed to raise it by cost of living every year,” Shuler said. “In our water system plan discussion, we have agreed that we are looking at raising that rate at 5% per year. At this point that can change. Council can make that decision each year. This year, they determined the 5% increase, so that amendment is in front of you.”