MUD 18 Newsletter October – December 2025

2025 Tax Rate Reduction

The new MUD tax for 2025 will be $0.17 per $100 of valuation. This is a $0.03 (15%) drop from the previous year.

The 2025 average home valuation in our district is $701,987 a 7.8% rise from last year’s average valuation of $658,137. In 2024, the average tax bill was $1,316, while this year it will be $1,193. Even if the taxable value of your home increased, you should see a drop in the amount of tax owed to MUD 18. Please note that this is an average, meaning some bills will be higher and some bills will be lower. Everything will be based on your property’s assessed value as determined by the County Appraisal District.

It is the intention of the Board to collect only what is needed to meet its debt obligations and planned capital expenditures in the five-year plan. These are for major capital expenditures to effectively improve and maintain our water wells, water and wastewater treatment facilities, and other related infrastructure.

2025 Water and Sewer Rate Increase

Our last sewer price increase was in 2019. Since then, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased 29%. Starting October 1, 2025, our sewer rate will increase by 11%, going from $45 to $50 per month. Please remember that this fee also includes trash collection.

Our base water rate of $15 will remain the same, but each tier above that will increase $0.50 per 1,000 gallons. For example, under the new rate schedule if you used 4,000 gallons the cost would go from $60/month to $65/month. Usage of up to 10,000 gallons per month would go from $66 to $74/month, an $8 increase. Usage of up to 15,000 gallons/month would increase from $73.50/month to $84.00/month, a $10.50 increase.

Usage of up to 20,000 gallons/month would go from $86/month to $99/month, a $13 increase.

With the increased costs of natural gas and electricity, as well as other supplies and labor, the Board has found it necessary to increase rates to cover expenses. Even with the rate increase, compared to surrounding districts our rates and taxes are amongst the lowest in the area. We will continue to provide the quality of water and uninterrupted service that Bentwater has come to rely on.

Board meetings are open to the public and held the third Tuesday of the month at the Country Club at 9:30AM.
Your MUD Board:
Susan McFarland, President
David Parkhill, Vice President
John Crystal, Treasurer
Rex Cambern, Secretary
Terry Gent, Assistant Secretary

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