Pine Mountain council considers raising water and sewer base rates; requests additional scenarios

Mayor Mary Ruth Mullins proposed changes to the town’s water and sewer base rates at the Pine Mountain called meeting on Feb. 20.

The minutes record the town’s current rates and the mayor’s proposed new bases and per-1,000-gallon charges: current water inside base $12.00 with $4.00 per 1,000 gallons and outside base $17.00 with $6.00 per 1,000 gallons; proposed water rates would set inside base at $17.00 with $4.00 per 1,000 gallons and outside base at $22.00 with $6.00 per 1,000 gallons. Current sewer rates were listed as inside base $12.00 with $6.35 per 1,000 gallons and outside base $15.00 with $6.35 per 1,000 gallons; the proposed sewer bases are $17.00 inside and $22.00 outside, with an outside per-1,000-gallon sewer charge recorded as $10.54.

Joe Walter told council that, after working on the water-rate analysis, he felt confident the proposed rates would increase revenue by approximately $87,000 over current revenues once they are in place. The minutes also record the town’s current annual debt service as approximately $131,694.12. Mr. Walter noted there are multiple ways to structure water-rate systems.

Councilmember Curtis Bray moved to continue the water-rate discussion and to obtain different scenarios for residential and commercial users; Councilmember Stokely Pound seconded. The minutes record that Councilmembers James W. Trott, Jr. and Thomas E. Scott voted in favor of the motion; the transcript does not show a complete roll-call or record the votes of all members. The meeting was adjourned thereafter.

The minutes do not specify which department will prepare the alternate scenarios or when the council will meet again to review them.