Smithville officials are pondering the effect the loss of DeKalb Utility District as a customer will have on the city’s water rates. A water rate study has been conducted, and the results are expected to be revealed at a workshop with the mayor and board of aldermen on Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. The board expects to hear the results of the study, by the city’s utility engineer, the J.R. Wauford Company, at the workshop, which will begin at 5 p.m. According to City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson, the study is complete and ready to be perused by the board at the workshop. “Mr. Buddy Petty (a J.R. Wauford representative) is ready to sit down with you and to discuss what they have come up with,” Hendrixson told the council at Monday’s meeting.