Mission, TX (KRGV) — Mission city leaders approved a new utility rate study to get a clearer picture of what it will take to keep the city's water and wastewater system running as the city grows.

The study will look at the condition and capacity of Mission's water and wastewater system, along with future projects and the cost of materials, equipment and labor.

The city's last study focused mainly on how Mission's utility rates compared to other communities.

The need is growing along with the city. The number of single-family residential properties in Mission grew by 328 in just one year and one development alone, phase one of El Milagro, includes 475 planned lots.

Mission resident Sylvia Reyna said she's not against the city growing but wants to see existing needs addressed as the city plans for that growth.

"We have a lot of drainage problems. They haven't addressed that. My light right here on the corner has been out for already four, four months, four or five months and the city hasn't come," Reyna said.

The study will also look at how utility costs are structured, including which costs are fixed and which change with customer usage.

The city said the goal is to get data on what the system needs now and what it could need in the future.

The study itself would not raise water bills. If the findings eventually lead to a recommendation for a rate change, the city said that would have to be considered separately by city council.