Fort Worth, Texas – Starting January 1, residents of Fort Worth might notice an increase in their utility bills due to several fees and rate hikes approved by the City Council. These adjustments, which include changes to trash, water, and wastewater services, are designed to fund various city improvements and manage vendor charges effectively.
Managing Waste More Efficiently
A notable change comes in the form of a new garbage fee. In an effort to manage overflowing bins and extra trash bags, the City Council approved a fee in September. Residents will now be charged $6 for each overloaded trash or recycling cart and $3 for loose bags left beside the road. An overloaded cart is defined by the city as one where the lid is not securely closed, while unsecured bags outside the can will be considered loose.
The introduction of these fees aims to cover the additional costs incurred by the city for handling extra waste. Traditionally, Waste Management, the city’s contractor, would collect the extra trash and charge the city for each instance. However, from 2024, Fort Worth will employ cameras and smart technology to identify the households responsible for leaving out extra bags or overflowing carts. These households will then see the additional fee included in their monthly solid waste bill, with an option to contest the charge similar to a parking ticket.
Water and Wastewater Rate Increases
Residents should also prepare for an increase in their monthly water bills, with water rates rising by 3.5% and wastewater rates by 2.9%. This is the first increase since 2020, and the additional revenue will be channeled towards replacing old pipes and enhancing the water infrastructure to accommodate growth. Fort Worth plans to invest $1.5 billion in improvements over the next five years, as per the water department’s capital plan. This includes significant expenditures on wastewater treatment plants, like the $324.7 million allocated to the Village Creek plant and the construction of the new Mary’s Creek plant.
Stormwater Fee Hike for Flood Prevention
Another significant increase is in the stormwater fee, set to rise by 15%. This hike will add around $6.61 per month to the average single-family household water bill. The fee is essential for funding improvements aimed at mitigating flooding effects. With about 38% of Fort Worth properties at some flood risk, neighborhoods like Linwood frequently experience flooding even from minimal rainfall. The raised fee will support projects in such areas and enable the addition of new crews to clear storm drains before large storms.
The stormwater department’s five-year plan involves spending $120.6 million, focusing largely on drainage and erosion control improvements. These measures are critical for maintaining the city’s infrastructure and ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.
