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Livingston adopts 10% water rate increase to qualify for state revolving loan
Summary
The Town of Livingston’s board approved a 10% increase in municipal water rates to meet state revolving fund loan qualifications and fund immediate water-system repairs, including radio reads and raw-water intake work; council voted unanimously in favor.
The Town of Livingston board of mayor and aldermen voted to adopt a 10% increase in the municipal water-rate schedule to meet qualifications for a state revolving fund (SRF) loan and fund needed system repairs. The board approved the change after discussion of project costs, loan principal forgiveness, and already‑underway meter upgrades.
The mayor said the increase was recommended by the comptroller’s office after the town was identified as being in deficit. “There’s an increase of 10% on the schedule,” he said, reading the proposed rates: the minimum 1,000 gallons inside city limits would move from $14.92 to $16.41 and the outside minimum to $28.05; the next 49,000 gallons would be $7.16 per 1,000 inside and $12.18 outside; over 50,000 gallons per 1,000 would be $4.58 inside and $7.70 outside.
Council members asked how the SRF-funded work would be applied. The mayor said some of the funds will pay for radio reads already being installed and for raw-water intake improvements, and that engineers with Wofford agreed with the recommendation. He also said the SRF package includes some principal forgiveness to help offset costs.
Alderman Linder moved to adopt the resolution implementing the 10% increase; Alderman Elder seconded. During roll call the council recorded affirmative votes from Aldermen Elder, Langford, Lander, Proctor and Reuben, and the motion passed.
Why it matters: The increase is intended to bring the town’s water and sewer fund into a position that meets SRF eligibility so Livingston can access grant and loan support for essential upgrades. The council described the action as supporting ongoing meter upgrades, planned service‑line repairs and raw‑water improvements; officials said additional study work is planned to verify the rate structure’s long‑term effects.
Next steps: The council approved the rate change at the meeting and will proceed with SRF paperwork and implementation work; the mayor said a forthcoming water‑study will provide supporting analysis for the adjustment.
