DeKalb County delays vote on proposed 10% annual water-sewer rate increase amid calls for shorter plans and affordability safeguards

DeKalb County’s Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on Feb. 13 debated a proposal from county administration to raise water and sewer rates by 10% a year for 10 years to fund operations, debt service and a capital improvement program, but the committee did not vote and sent the matter to the full board for consideration on Feb. 25.

The proposal, presented by Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams, calls for a 10% annual increase over 10 years. “What we are proposing, what we have proposed and continue to propose is a 10% per year for 10 years,” Williams told the committee, saying the revenue would be used to address long-standing infrastructure needs, sanitary sewer overflows and consent-decree requirements.

Committee members said they recognize the system’s needs but disagreed about the appropriate pace and oversight for a multi-year increase. Commissioners suggested alternatives including a short-term “proof of concept” increase (Commissioner Messiah proposed 12% through the end of the year followed by 10% for two years), a five-year plan at 8%, or holding to a longer 10-year plan coupled with accountability measures. Several commissioners and staff emphasized concurrent adoption of customer protections and an affordability program.

Why the proposal matters: DeKalb County’s water system includes aging assets—Williams and others repeated that the Scott Candler water-treatment plant dates to the 1940s—and officials say capital and operating shortfalls contributed to sanitary…