‘It’s shocking’: Terry residents react to water bill spike

TERRY, Miss. (WLBT) — A sudden spike in water bills in Terry has many of you asking: Why the increase, and where is the money going?

Residents want transparency from their city leaders.

“It’s shocking. And, like I said, the thing about just them not giving answers. So, we’re still in the unknown and it’s kind of heartbreaking,” said Kym Porter, who lives in Terry.

Those of you who call Terry home have seen a spike in water rates this month.

Porter has lived in the same neighborhood in Terry for 10 years now. She said her water rates have always been fixed. But, when she received her monthly bill for June, her rate went through the roof.

It went up hundreds of dollars.

“My water bill has always been the same. So yesterday, when I got the bill in the mail, I actually thought the seven was a one. So, I had to really adjust like that is really $700,” Porter explained.

Rhonda McClinton lives right across the street from Porter. She said their water meters are reading a different number than what’s posted on their bills, which adds to their frustration.

“You can imagine my frustration, like how you go from a flat rate of this to that and then you’re being told that the increase is due to the fact that the meter is trying to read nine months prior back,” McClinton said. “That doesn’t make sense to me. How can a meter read that far back?”

McClinton and those living in the small town said they need to be kept in the loop when it comes to decisions their leaders are making.

“We need to be informed of adjustments or we need to be informed in general just any changes that were to come about because we pay our taxes here; we should be informed about anything that goes on in this town of Terry,” McClinton added.

3 On Your Side reached out to the town of Terry for a comment multiple times to see why these rates have gone up and the reason for it. We have yet to receive a response.

As the wait for answers continues, residents are urging officials to hold a town hall meeting to discuss not only the water bills themselves, but if and when they can expect some relief.

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