LCRA looks at proposed rate increases

Significant rate increases for Central Texas cities and Gulf Coast-area rice farmers were proposed by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). The proposed rate hikes—16 percent for cities and power plants and as much as 91 percent for some farmers—are needed to address millions of dollars in lost revenue and unrecovered costs, according to the Texas Tribune.

When supplies return, the agency is proposing that Wharton County farmers pay 37 percent more for water and Matagorda County farmers’ rates would jump 91 percent.

LCRA board of directors could vote on the plan in June.