Winona Behind on Bills, Residents Affected

WINONA � The city of Winona did not pay its gas bill for six months, and now it is the residents who are getting the backlash from the city’s financial wrongdoings. KETK reports Winona is home to fewer than 600 people and the people who live there are on the hook for the financial mishaps of their city. Because Winona did not pay its gas bills to Eagle Rock Energies, it’s now more than $150,000 behind. The city announced in a council meeting Tuesday it plans to increase the gas, sewer, and water rates. Altogether, this is expected to generate an extra $130,000 thousands a year. Residents will see the highest increase in their gas bill, which will increase by about five dollars. The base water and base sewer rates will each go up by about two dollars.

Denise Shetter, the superintendent for Winona Independent School District, says this is going to have a huge impact on the district. “It impacts us not only because we get our water and sewer from the city so our rate and our budget are going to be impacted,” Shetter said, “but also the relationship we have with the student resource officer.” In order to pay the entire balance it owes, the city may have to cut jobs and freeze hiring. One job on the chopping block is the Winona ISD school resource officer, who is shared by the city and the school district. “I have a vested interest in our partnership because of the safety of our students,” Shetter said.

Winona Mayor Rusty Smith was not immediately available for comment. The rate increase is expected to take place this May. You can go to http://www.winonatexas.com for more information.