CITY TO CONSIDER RAISING WATER/SEWER RATES

Lincolnton City councilmen Fred Houser (left) and Larry Mac Hovis (right) concentrate during a budget presentation during the city's 3-day budget workshop at Lincolnton City Hall.

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON – Taking a shower, washing clothes and flushing a toilet may cost Lincolnton residents more starting April 1, and city leaders say that’s no “April fool.”

City council members are considering raising rates for city customers $12 to $15 per 6,000 gallons of water/sewer used per month, putting water/sewer bills between $62 and $65 dollars.

During the weekend budget workshop, city manager Jeff Emory told members of City Council and city department heads the move to average water/sewer was “necessary” due to the shortfall in revenues.

“It has to do with meeting our bond covenants,” said Emory. “There’s really no other way to meet our obligations in the water/sewer fund.”

Emory added there has to be a balance in the revenues and expenditures on a yearly basis.

“We don’t have the luxury of dipping into the savings to make up the deficit,” said Emory. “We’re about $250,000 short.”

Emory said the shortfall could be made up if city leaders cut further expenses. Council, meantime, would have to approve the rate increase.

Councilman Fred Houser said he’s lees than thrilled about the prospect of raising the water/sewer rate and suggested the city talks to bond holders to see if something could be done.

“I don’t want to go up this year,” said Houser. “There are people out of work and on fixed incomes who can barely make their utility payments now.”

Councilman Larry Mac Hovis said no matter what the City Council does regarding water/sewer rates, council members “will get hammered” by their constituents.

“Our residents can absorb the increase in rates better than the business and industries,” said Hovis.

Meantime, councilman Dr. Les Cloninger had a suggestion for residents to lower their water/sewer bills.

“Using less water will give people on fixed incomes a little home they can do something,” said Cloninger.

Emory cited the fact the city is selling 40 percent less water to other municipalities is another reason for an increase in water/sewer revenue.

Council directed Emory to talk to the bond holders about the city’s covenant. If the conversation proves futile, Council will vote on the rate increase at the monthly city council meeting Thursday.

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