By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Decatur City Council will hold a second public hearing on its pending water rate increase, following one held Tuesday night which produced several questions from residents in a relaxed atmosphere.
The second hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the June 16 council meeting in City Hall.
An ordinance affecting a 15% hike will in all likelihood be approved at that time. It follows a 12% hike which went into effect for this year. Both increases, city officials continue to stress, are due to a $21 million project mandated by the federal government.
After the new increase a typical residential customer within the city limits would see an addition of $8 to $10 to a monthly bill, while a typical customer outside the city limits would have a hike of $9.90 to $13.50 a month, according to officials.
The increase will begin upon passage of the ordinance.
The project is designed to remove lead from service lines throughout the city and also to replace numerous aging water mains.
Decatur officials have also continued to stress the large number of water mains which are well over 50 years old, some as old as 100 years.
The federal government, meanwhile, has been stressing the replacement of lead service lines, spurred by the tragic events which occurred in Flint several years ago.
SIX HEARD: Six city residents spoke at Tuesday night’s public hearing, which remained civil throughout.
Marilyn Nelson asked when the project will begin and when it will end. Not before July, she was informed, and Commonwealth Engineer Ben Adams, working with the project for the city, said it would likely take until the summer of 2027 for completion.
She also wanted to know if the city had sought federal grants. “They (feds) just mandate us to do this,” but provide no funding, Councilman Tyler Fullenkamp said.
Eric Gage wanted to know if damaged yards would be replaced.
“Everything torn up will be replaced,” Mayor Dan Rickord said. Adams agreed.
The mayor also told Gage that everyone, including city officials, were going to be tagged with the increase. “We don’t get any discounts,” he said.
Other answers included: a) all city residents will see the rate hike; b) the new service lines will go from the residence to the street; c) not all city residences and businesses are in the project area.
Laurie Blossom drew a loud round of laughter. After noting that she is charged the minimum $100 water fee each month, she was told that all communities have minimums.
“I let my water run all the time ’cause I can’t get to it (the minimum),” she said to laughter.
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