KYLE, Texas — Hunter Schuler has been living in Kyle since 2018 and on average pays more than $66 a month for water in his home. But in December, he got a surprise in his inbox from his utility company, County Line Special Utility District.
“They had proposed a new rate increase that would increase our bill to over $100 a month, just in one month,” Schuler said. “It’s very frustrating because we don’t have any other option. It’s not like I can cancel my water service and go somewhere else. This isn’t Netflix.”
County Line Special Utility District serves parts of the city of Kyle and Uhland and surrounding areas in Hays and Caldwell counties. Earlier this month, the board of directors approved a rate increase that will take effect starting on customers’ February 2025 bills.
Customers who use 5,000 gallons a month will see an increase of approximately $35.80 on their monthly bill.
Humberto Ramos is the general manager of the utility company.
“We have a lot of growth coming, a lot of development coming, and so what that comes a lot of challenges. We need infrastructure to be paid for. We need to continue with the quality of service that we have,” Ramos said. “You’ve got to be ahead of the curve and make sure that your rates can support your existing business to allow for the growth and everything else to happen. And again, growth pays for growth.”
For Schuler, he dreads paying the cost, which is another added expense on top of a rising cost of living.
“Why would that make sense that the water would be more expensive when you have more customers and more purchasing power?” Schuler said. “It’s water, it shouldn’t take this. It shouldn’t be this hard.”
Schuler has also reached out to lawmakers about the rate increase.
The utility company also says to avoid any water leaks around your home to help bring down costs.