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Martin County board agrees to $8 hike in water base rate to $50
Summary
At a May 16 special session, the Martin County Board of Commissioners agreed to raise the water base rate $8, from $42 to $50 for the first 1,000 gallons, citing enterprise fund shortfalls, $17.7 million of related debt service pressures and a state conservation mandate.
The Martin County Board of Commissioners agreed May 16 to raise the county water base rate by $8, increasing the charge for the first 1,000 gallons from $42 to $50.
County Manager David Bone presented projections showing the water districts’ enterprise funds were not self-sustaining and faced heavy debt-service obligations and state-mandated conservation requirements that reduced usage. Commissioners said the combination of lower-than-expected customers, lost industrial accounts and population decline had worsened the districts’ finances.
Commissioner Dempsey Bond, Jr. raised concerns about un‑annexed water customers in the Town of Williamston’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ); Finance Director Cindy Ange said Williamston continues to pay a pro‑rata share of the debt service for the full length of the debt. County Manager Bone said he would research the history of the Williamston ETJ customer transfers and pursue contacts at the state level to seek relief.
Board members and staff noted the Local Government Commission had flagged enterprise fund sustainability issues in prior years. Bone told the board that even if all $17.7 million in debt service were relieved through state intervention, a base-rate increase to at least $50 would still be required to reach a break-even operating position and would leave little for capital reserves.
The board “consensually agreed” to the $8 increase on the recommendation of the Water District Advisory Board; meeting minutes do not record a roll-call vote on the rate change. The rate change was discussed as part of the FY 2018-19 draft budget work session; the draft budget’s public hearing was scheduled for the board’s June 13 meeting.
Next steps noted by the board included staff follow-up on the Williamston ETJ history, continued outreach to state officials for potential relief, and implementation details to be finalized alongside the FY 2018-19 budget timeline.
