Bartlesville's water billing rates are back to normal and a committee has been re-formed to examine the city's water resources for the future.

 The Bartlesville City Council unanimously voted last night to rescind higher emergency water rates that were in place during the recent drought, meaning bills for residential and commercial accounts will go back to normal prices. The resolution is retroactive to July 17, when the city's water supply was greatly helped by rainfall over the Hulah Lake watershed.

 Bartlesville CFO Jason Muninger says the average additional billing to commercial customers during the emergency rates through June was $19.89. Residential customers saw an average additional billing of $0.52 through June.

 Additionally, council approved to re-establish the Bartlesville Water Resources Committee to study and provide recommendations on the future of the city's water supply in the event of another drought and as the area's population continues to increase.

 City Manager Mike Bailey says the committee was originally formed several years ago, but it stopped holding regular meetings during the pandemic. He says the committee will provide important feedback to the city as it plans for the future.

Here are the committee members:

• Mayor Dale Copeland

• Ward 4 Council Member Billie Roane

• City Manager Mike Bailey

• Ward 1 representative George Halkiades

• Ward 2 representative Bill Dausses

• Ward 3 representative Tom Gorman

• Ward 4 representative Quinn Schipper

• Ward 5 representative Harvey Little

• Dewey representative Kevin Trease

• Washington County representative Mike Dunlap

• Bartlesville Development Authority David Wood

• Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce Sherri Wilt

• Mack Savala, representing U.S. Sen. James Lankford (ex-officio)

• Crystal Campbell, representing U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (ex-officio)

• Derrick Sisney, representing U.S. Rep. Josh Brecheen (ex-officio)

• State Sen. Julie Daniels, state legislative liason (ex-officio)

• Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen (ex-officio)