Water Rates Set to Rise as City Battles Utility Fund Deficit

May 13, 2026•1 min read

Residents will see a series of increases in their water and wastewater bills as the city moves to eliminate a $50,000 monthly deficit in its utility fund

The City Council is pursuing a five-year plan to stabilize the fund, which has been depleting its reserves to cover operational shortfalls

The proposed rate structure includes a 5.1% increase expected in the May-June timeframe, followed by a 7.2% increase in October

For a customer using 5,000 gallons of water, the bill is projected to rise from $97.31 to 102.24inthenearterm,eventuallyreaching∗∗109.57** after the October adjustment

"If we do nothing starting in January, that $50,000 a month loss goes to $150,000," city officials warned

The new rates include a $25 monthly base charge for maintenance of tanks, pumps, and lines, regardless of water usage

rockport. TX city of rockport water rate increase

Walter Perry

Walter E. Perry Sr. is co-founder and publisher of The Rockport Pirate, Rockport-Fulton's fastest-growing local news and events platform. A marketing-focused MBA graduate of Texas A&M University–San Antonio and currently pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Leadership, Walter brings a rare combination of academic rigor and street-level community credibility to independent journalism. He previously served as editor for a local newspaper and is the founder and executive director of Suit Up!, a trademarked, state-certified life skills program that served more than 1,500 individuals in 2024. Walter is a proven community builder driven by a belief that local news should be bold, honest, and built by the people it serves.

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