By Michelle Bates
The Arcadia Town Council agreed to amend water and sewer rate increases set to begin in May.
In Tuesday’s town council meeting, Mayor O’Landis Millican explained that the increases were needed in order to apply for grants to redo the town’s failing water infrastructure.
“In December, we talked about our water rates,” Millican said. “We do this to be able to qualify for grants. We have several issues right now, one being the underground storage tank. We have to have matching funds in order to get the grants, and not only that, we have to replace things as needed.”
Millican went on to explain that water pressure is low because the ground storage tank is down, and it will be until it is fixed. A hole developed in the tank, causing water to run out into the creek. There are also holes in the ceiling and the sides of the tank.
The increased rates will begin May 1, Millican said, but customers won’t see the increased rates on their bills until June.
“That way we can give the citizens enough time, and we’ll hold a town hall meeting to explain the reason for increasing the water rates and explain the need for the increase,” he said.
Currently, residential water rates are $20 per 3,000 gallons, the flow rate is $1.35 per 1,000 gallons with the average water bill at $21.11. With the addition of the sewer rate, customers are paying $5, along with the testing rate at $1, the total of the average bill is $27.11.
The proposed rate is a flat rate of $20 per zero gallons, $4.93 per 1,000 gallons, bringing the average bill to $38.85. Add in the $5 sewer fee as well as the $1 testing rate, and that brings the average bill to a total of $44.85.
Commercial fixed rates will go to $45, with $4.93 per 1,000 gallons, and the bulk rate will go to $60 per zero gallons.
“That’s the people who hook up to the bulk connections,” he said. “That rate will be $5 per 1,000 gallons.”
With the proposed rates, the town should bring in more revenue. The total water revenue for 2023 was $825,708.
Water rates increased in 2020, and before that, was in 2010. Arcadia has the lowest rates outside of Wesley Chapel Water System, Fellowship Water System, and the Alabama Water System, Millican added.
“We’ve seen other places and some of them are paying $80 or more each month,” District 2 Councilwoman Melanie Monroe said. “And we’re only out $26.”
“And if we have no money, we can’t match those grants,” District 3 Councilman Joseph Pruitt Jr. added.
Millican has spoken before about the aging infrastructure, and while the town has no debt as far as any loans, they need the grants in order to update the water and sewer infrastructure. Millican said they are constantly fixing leaks around town, and it’s just due to the aging infrastructure.
A date for the town hall meeting will be announced at a later date.