Elmer City utility rates rising

Elmer City utility customers will pay about $13 a month more for water and sewer service beginning in March, but garbage rates will remain the same.

The town council passed a new utility rate ordinance last Thursday to set the increase in motion.

The increases include a $5 jump for water and $8 for sewer, plus some increases for fees such as for being late paying the bill, or ordering a start or end to a service.

Mayor Jesse Tilman said the bump puts the town more on par with other area towns.

“Years ago, when I first came on council, we were actually losing money every year,” Tilman said. “We definitely don’t want to go back to that. We want to be good stewards of the town.”

In discussion during a public hearing on the ordinance, recent cost increases were noted: $56 percent for insurance, this year.

“Fuel and everything has gone up tremendously,” Clerk/Treasurer Kelly Ross said.

She said 60% of the increase would stay in the water/sewer fund, while 40% would go into a reserve fund for needed repairs and emergencies.

Superintendent Jimmer Tilman said that, although there’s over $50,000 in that fund now, “it still keeps me up at night because if a pump goes down, it could cost $50,000 to $60,000.

The town also needs to keep funds available to take advantage of grant funding opportunities that arise or are sought out when repairs are needed. Funding agencies often require a match from the town.

Residents will pay $41.68 a month for residential water service up to 10,000 gallons, $65.92 a month for sewer.