Russell City Council Approves Water Rate Increase

The Russell City Council met Tuesday and approved a water rate increase.

The Council has been discussing water rates over the past several meetings.

City Manager Jon Quinday said a water rate increase is necessary because of a few large expected and unexpected infrastructure improvements to the water production plants and the water system as a whole.

Again, that's an eight percent rate increase in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and a two percent annual increase after that.

Mayor Jim Cross...

The ordinance amending the water rates passed four to two with Dustin Madden, Lisa Schreiner, Blaine Stoppel and Lonnie Whitten voting yes and Aaron Talbott and Mitch Driscoll voting no. Councilmembers Michelle Wagner and Monty Morrill were absent.

Also Tuesday, the Council voted to give a $15,000 donation to Prairiesta 2021 from the Duke Johnson Trust Fund.

Replacement of a vacuum truck was also discussed with no action taken.