At its meeting on May 5, 2025, the Atoka Municipal Authority voted to approve significant increases to water and sewer rates. The decision comes as the city aims to address financial pressures and fund critical upgrades to its aging infrastructure.
The approved rate changes include water, and sewer increases with averages ranging from 63% to 87% for water users and 80% to 91% for sewer users across residential, commercial, and wholesale categories.
During the meeting, city officials explained that financial projections indicated that without the rate increases, the city's water and sewer systems would face significant financial challenges. It was stated that these projections showed declining revenues and increasing expenses, which would strain the systems' ability to fund necessary maintenance and upgrades. The officials emphasized that delaying the rate increases would likely lead to more substantial financial difficulties in the future.
To support the necessary infrastructure improvements, Atoka has secured funding through a combined $8 million in USDA Native-American Set-Aside grants for Phase I of water and wastewater system upgrades. Additionally, the Atoka Municipal Authority received a $1.74 million loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to improve the wastewater infrastructure.
Member Pogue expressed reservations, stating, 'I'm not saying no increase; I'm saying just not this much.' Pogue explained there will be residents impacted hard by the increases who struggle paying the current rates.
While the Atoka Municipal Authority voted to approve the rate increases, an official resolution will be presented to the council for final approval at an upcoming meeting. The approved rates are scheduled to take effect in the fall of 2025. The City of Atoka will provide further updates as the implementation process progresses.
