BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Starke commissioners have raised water and sewer rates for some in spite of public opposition.
Residential water rates are simplified under the new ordinance, changing the usage tiers, with the first tier now being 0-2,000 gallons of water for $20.84 a month. This represents a small savings for those in this tier, according to City Manager Drew Mullins. Every 1,000 gallons of additional usage will add $6 more to the bill.
Residential sewer rates have likewise been simplified. Customers will be charged 1.5 times their water bill for wastewater service.
Residents using 2,000 gallons a months or less will save money, encouraging conservation. Mullins said the combined water and sewer bill would be $52.10 compared to the current charge of $56.62.
Those using more will pay more. At 3,000 gallons the monthly combined charge increases from $60.60 to $67.10, and at 4,000 gallons the bill would increase from $64.58 to $82.10.
Commercial rates remain somewhat complicated since the size of the meter determines the monthly charge. This can range from $21.71 a month for a 1-inch meter to $454.69 for an 8-inch meter. Each tier represents an increase over the previous base charge. Then there is a variable consumption charge based on gallons used, and each of these tiers is also increasing. There is a separate consumption charge for wastewater service. Overall, Mullins said it represents a 25% rate increase.
Consulting with the city’s engineers and accountant, Mullins found the city needs $480,000 a year to cover debt from the sewer plant upgrade, $300,000 for annual maintenance and infrastructure, $250,000 a year to make up for revenue shortfall, and $150,000 a year to transfer from water and sewer into the general fund to cover general government costs. According to the city manager, this would raise more than $1.17 million in additional revenue.
Markleyann Johns Cash stood April 5 to oppose the rate increases.
“This is a very poor county, and the people cannot afford that,” she said. “The people here, they’re living on Social Security. They can’t afford this raise. We already pay electric rates. The electricity itself is not that bad, but when you tack on the fuel adjustment, it makes our electricity very high, and we do not need more put on to our bills.”
Sissy Story agreed, saying her utility bill is “ridiculous.”
“My bill last month was $648. There’s one person in that house — me,” she said. “I even called an electrician to come out and check my unit. It’s the fuel adjustment charge. My bill just came for this month. It’s not much better.”
On the most recent bill, the charge for fuel was almost as high as electricity.
“I live on disability Social Security. Something’s got to be done. … My utility bill last month was as bad as my mortgage payment,” Story said.”
These were the only comments from the public during either hearing. In spite of the input, the commission unanimously approved the ordinance.
The new rates will take effect with the next billing cycle.
