Why water and sewer rates could increase soon in Fairhope - WKRG News 5
Why water and sewer rates could increase soon in Fairhope | WKRG.com
FAIRHOPE, Ala. ( WKRG) — Water and sewer rate increases are long overdue, according to one city official who wants to see that change.
“The inflation rates over the last several years have been 6-9% in some cases,” said Fairhope City Councilman Jack Burrell. “We haven’t raised rates in a while, and if we don’t raise rates to keep up with our costs incurred, we’re going to fall further behind.”
On Thursday night, the Fairhope City Council will discuss rate increases that Burrell says are desperately needed.
“You don’t want to make a hamburger for $5 and sell it for $4.50. You won’t stay in business long, so we need to be able to continue to provide the services that we provide to our customers,” he said.
He says the city has fallen behind for years, and he sees no other option available.
“Just so we don’t fall tens of thousands of dollars per month further behind,” said Burrell.
If approved, the higher rates could take effect soon, but Burrell is not expecting significant changes.
“The increases on the base rate, we’re talking about a little less than $2, and the cost per 1,000 gallons of water or sewer would go up about .20 to .30,” he said.
The new ordinance must first be introduced and then formally adopted by council members.
The official vote could come during the Feb. 26 council meeting.
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