John Berrey, financial chairman of the Quapaw Tribe and the Downstream Casino Resort, and Bruce Anderson, mayor of Loma Linda, also spoke. Both said they understood that Joplin has to raise rates to pay for $35 million in required construction work at the city’s two wastewater plants. A public vote on financing for the project is slated for Aug. 4 in Joplin.

But Berrey and Anderson asked the council to stay with the rate study’s recommended 30 percent surcharge rate.

Council member Benjamin Rosenberg made a motion to amend the council bill and authorize the surcharge at 30 percent.

Councilman Bill Scearce, who at a May 4 meeting obtained council approval for the 50 percent rate, said the rate is not unusual, and that if the 30 percent surcharge did not generate enough money to help cover the cost of providing the service to those outside customers, Joplin residents would have to make up the difference.

The vote on a council bill is not final for 30 days.

Rosenberg contended that the city has an obligation to be fair and equitable to all customers of the sewage utility, and that the rate study consultant believed 30 percent would cover the costs.

Councilman Phil Stinnett said he felt an obligation to protect Joplin residents in case the lower surcharge fell short of covering costs.

Councilman Michael Seibert said he had changed his mind since the previous vote, and he supported “trying to find a balance” by giving favorable consideration to the outside users. He said the rate could be changed if it is not high enough.

Mayor Gary Shaw also supported the lower rate in view of the concerns expressed by the outside users. He said he believed he was protecting the interests of Joplin ratepayers by hiring the consultant to evaluate and recommend the rates that would pay the bills for operating the service.

Asked for a reaction after the vote, Berrey said: “I think my reaction is positive. We are fortunate to have people who were willing to take some input from the people who are impacted and make a decision that was a little more fair.”

Weaver said he appreciated the consideration. He said the change would make basic residential bills in Duquesne about $36 a month rather than $58. “For some of our families, that’s a lot,” he said.

Rezoning rejected

In other action, the council for the second time nixed a zoning request that would have allowed Kum & Go to build a convenience store at 32nd Street and Indiana Avenue. A number of residents of the neighborhood voiced opposition, citing concerns about increased traffic at an intersection that is heavily traveled already and about lights and noise from a 24-hour operation.

Jeremy Cribb, a real-estate development representative for the company, did not say if Kum & Go will take any further action to seek the zoning.

“Tonight’s vote will not necessarily dictate our future plans for Joplin, but it is indicative of the business climate,” he said.