MATHIS, Texas — People who live at an RV Park in Mathis aren't happy about a recent rate increase to stay there. In fact, last week several tenants voiced their worries in front of Corpus Christi's city council.
The city's water department owns and maintains the park because the city owns Wesley Seale Dam, and the land around it. But when tenants heard about the increase, they felt it was unfair.
Many of those tenants signed up for the one-mile view of Lake Corpus Christi, but they tell KRIS 6 News they've encountered some issues living there. For example, some people mention park maintenance is sub-par.
"The bathrooms are poor, the trash is never picked up," said tenant Arthur Guidry.
"They haven't upgraded the electricity -- the bathrooms are still not handicap accessible," said another tenant, Edison Hubert Jr.
The tenants recently got word that the rate for living at Sunrise Beach Park was going from $400 to $650. After several complained at a recent city council meeting, the city agreed the rate would go up to $500 instead.
Tenants KRIS 6 News spoke to said it's more costly than what they expected.
"I've been here two years," said Guidry. "There's a lot of people that have been here a lot longer than that, and they moved out because they can't afford the rate hike."
A spokesperson for the city's water department said this is the first time in a decade the park's rate has gone up. Plus, the higher fee will cover the higher cost of living.
However, tenants still are left wondering if, and when, improvements in the park will be made.
"But then again, what are we getting for the extra increase in our rate hike?" said Hubert.
Prior to 2009, the city leased the RV park to a private owner, who took care of it and maintained it.
The water department spokesperson said over the next few months, the department will look at options like that, and also hope to make improvements.
