Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a comment from Dave Welch, president of the Texas Pastor Council.

Magnolia City Council is scheduled to meet in closed session Tuesday to receive legal advice regarding the threat of litigation by Magnolia ISD and a group of local churches concerning the city's water rates, according to the meeting agenda for Nov. 13. An item on the agenda indicates council members may take action as a result of the closed session.

City Secretary Lynne George said no official legal action has been taken at this time.

Council members unanimously voted this spring to implement higher water rates, revise the rate structure and add an institutional user category, which applies to tax-exempt, nonprofit or government entities. This water and sewer rate adjustment was rolled out in April for city users, excluding residential accounts.

Community Impact Newspaper previously reported that institutional leaders do not object to the rate hike but rather to the creation of an institutional category charged higher rates than commercial entities, as institutions were previously charged the same rates as local businesses, according to Dave Welch, president of the Texas Pastor Council. The Texas Pastor Council is a group encouraging engagement in social and cultural issues and is representing churches in the city of Magnolia.

"Texas Pastor Council has been in regular contact with MISD officials, state legislators, county officials and business leaders in preparing our next actions," Welch said in an email. "The city of Magnolia's water rate discrimination amounts to taxing churches, schools, nonprofits serving the community and ultimately triple taxing the citizens of greater Magnolia, so we will not rest until this wrong is made right through litigation, legislation or both."

Tuesday's upcoming closed session and consideration by council of possible litigation comes on the heels of a Sept. 11 petition by the Texas Pastor Council to reverse the new utility structure. The petition was presented during the public comment period, during which time the council is not able to respond.

Magnolia City Council is also expected to discuss the proposed FM 1488 relief route, which would run on the north side of FM 1488, during the Nov. 13 meeting.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Magnolia City Hall, located at 18111 Buddy Riley Boulevard, Magnolia.