DeKalb delays vote on proposed 10%-for-10-years water rate plan; bond proposal to be reviewed at special PWI meeting

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 28 deferred consideration of a substitute resolution that would raise water and sewer rates and authorize a bond issuance for major infrastructure work. County Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams presented a revised plan on behalf of the Department of Watershed Management proposing a 10% annual rate increase for 10 years paired with a bond program; staff said the substitute would enable borrowing to support rehabilitation and upgrades to the countys water and wastewater system.

Williams said the administrations substitute replaces the earlier plan that had proposed an 8% annual increase; he described the revised approach as a 10-year program and told commissioners the financing plan would permit a larger bond issue than previously discussed. "The substitute, in fact, is approving a 10% rate increase, for 10 years," Williams said. He added that the administration would…