Alva Review-Courier -

It's nothing new or unexpected that the City of Kiowa, Kansas will increase their water rates in increments over time. It's necessary to make payments on the approximate $8 million waterline replacement project that is about to begin. At a special meeting November 2 the subject was discussed.

Phil Fishburn, a certified planner of Wichita attended the meeting to discuss water rates. Mayor Bill Watson said the city will have to increase water rates in a stair step process (over three to five years) to make the first payment on the loan. The first payment is due when the project is finished. That...