Crescent Oaks residents protest water rate increase
By LAURA CHILDRESS

While an official hearing on a proposed water rate increase in Crescent Oaks won't be held until Dec. 17, residents protested the rate hike at Monday's Oak Point City Council meeting.

A 47-percent increase is being requested by Monarch Utilities, which serves only Crescent Oaks, for system improvements.

Residents affected by the increase noted that it is unreasonable for the service and quality of water they receive. They added that many will be unable to afford the increase.

A public hearing on the proposed increase will be held on Dec. 17 as part of the regular monthly council meeting.

City Manager Richard Martin explained that the city could hold the hearing no earlier because of public notice requirements.

Following the public hearing, the council may either approve or reject the proposed rate increase. If the council denies the increase, Monarch may appeal to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Until a new rate is approved, however, Martin said the city has instructed Monarch to freeze the rates.

Residents noted that the rates weren't frozen, but were already increased, with customers seeing their bills almost double.

City staff promised customers they would take action to rectify the situation.

The council also approved, following a public hearing, the annexation of right-of-way along FM 720 fronting Cross Oak Ranch from Martop to the edge of the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction.

City Manager Richard Martin explained that the annexation will give the city the opportunity to participate in development agreements  and limited and full-purpose annexations with property owners adjacent to the right-of-way.

"If we annex the right-of-way, it gives the city greater authority to offer incentives to developers, promoting development," Martin said.

Councilman Jim Wohletz added that the property increased the city's chances to bring in development, which would benefit citizens by reducing the burden of property taxes.

In other business, the council: * Approved the consent agenda, consisting of the minutes of the Oct. 15 meeting; monthly municipal court, finance and DPS reports; resolutions authorizing the director of public safety to negotiate and execute a lease purchase agreement for a vehicle and annual interlocal cooperation agreements for fire protection, and the adoption of an investment policy.

* Approved the appointment of Diane Zaccarelli, Leslie Maynard, Curtis Lacey, Joe Stringer, April Harpold, Duane Olson and Jim Wohletz to the Oak Point Empowering Neighbors Commission.

* Approved the appointment of Matt Brown to the Economic Development Advisory Board.