Mineral Wells Area News

The City of Mineral Wells will refund drainage utility fees incorrectly charged to customers outside city limits since 2022, officials announced Wednesday in a Press Release.

“It was brought to the attention of City Council and City Manager Jason Weeks that customers outside the city limits have been incorrectly billed since 2022,” according to a city statement.

Weeks, “who has been in his role for just over two months, has remained committed to transparency and open communication since taking over,” the statement read.

“Upon learning of these questions and concerns, Weeks began working closely with the city’s legal counsel to investigate the matter and present a recommendation to the City Council,” officials said.

The investigation revealed “customers outside the city limits should not have been charged the drainage fee,” which was established in 2016.

“The drainage utility fund was originally instituted in 2016 after a vote by City Council on December 6, 2016,” the statement explained. “The council approved a fee per water connection, which would be used to fund studies and engineering for important public works drainage projects within the city.”

Officials said the city “adhered to all procedural steps to implement the drainage utility district, including conducting public hearings and issuing public notices.”

At Tuesday’s council meeting, “City Manager Jason Weeks, along with the city’s legal counsel, recommended removing customers outside the city limits from the drainage utility fund and ceasing the $2.50 fee per connection.”

The council unanimously approved crediting affected accounts for fees collected since 2022 “incrementally, per our billing systems requirements, until the full refund is issued.”

“In total, $33,823.73 has been collected from 232 customers,” according to the statement, which is just under $150 per customer.

“Customers who have relocated but are eligible for a refund may contact the Utilities Billing department for available options,” officials said.

“The city remains committed to providing fair and equitable services to all residents, including those outside the city limits,” the statement concluded.