Another Water Rate Increase On the Way!

Last night, the board informed the public that another water rate increase is on the way. Well, the board didn't inform the public, they actually passed the buck to Ben Barrett, Public Works Director. The board payed a membership fee to the Mississippi Rural Water Association in order to be considered for a $250,000 water improvement grant. Well, one of the requirements of the grant requires the city's water system to be able to sustain itself. I blogged about this on Feb. 23, 2012 and even before that blog was published, everyone, well everyone with the exception of those serving on the board of aldermen, knew the city's water system was out of whack. The board voted last night to request the Mississippi Rural Water Association to come and conduct a water system study, but the study was completed long before the actual board meeting and the MS Rural Water Association had already been paid to conduct the study; they just needed to go back and have it placed in the minutes. Well, needless to say, the board of aldermen will vote to increase the water rates to .75/gallon or raise the water rates an additional .75/gallon after the public hearing on April 5, 2012. The citizens of Lumberton will have the opportunity to come out and share their views on the second water rate increase this fiscal year, but since the board is determined to obtain the $250,000 grant, they're more than likely are going to raise the rate despite what the citizens have to say. In addition to the proposed water rate increase, the board will also change the minimum usage amount for everyone to ensure that almost everyone is affected by the rate increase. The minimum usage is currently at 3,000 gallons, but with the passage of Ordinance 301 (a copy will be in next week's Lamar Times) the minimum usage amount will be 2,000 gallons. Ben Barrett said he was not supportive of the grant and he also stated that the grant will not do much to help the city's sewer system. But he did not that according to a stipulation of the grant, water bill rates will be increased every year once Ordinance 301 is passed. The board blamed the losses on the closure of Cooper Industries and the other businesses on Industrial Parkway. But Barret stated that the city has been losing money since 2005, long before Cooper closed it's doors. Again, the issues of money being lost, checks not being deposited, etc. are the result of the lack of checks and balances at city hall. I'm not saying that anything untoward is going on, but why are we continuing to pay $38,000 for an auditor's report and don't adhere to the guidelines set forth in the auditor's report? The city clerk even stated at one board meeting that she would like an accountant to come in for that purpose in order to quell the rumors that keep circulating about her and the misappropriation of funds. Unfortunately, the citizens of Lumberton are going to bear the burden of the alderman's malfeasance. (I might share with you my insight on the real reason why they aldermen are running after this grant money.) So, for those of you that are concerned about how the city is mis-managing the funds, it would behove you to come out April 5, 2012 to the public hearing regarding the water bill rate increase and the passage of Ordinance 301.