Comments on: Century Increases Water, Sewer Rates By Over 50 Percent

By: tg

tg — Wed, 03 May 2017 11:57:10 +0000

Fear not with new industry like the Bingo Hall everything will be fine.

By: Makes good sense

Makes good sense — Wed, 03 May 2017 02:03:45 +0000

In all honesty, these new rates are very reasonable and stack up well against other utility rates. Lines, pumps, wells, towers, chlorine, primary and secondary wastewater treatment, labwork, lift stations, alarms, generators, manholes, emergency repairs, meter replacement… all in a day’s operational expenses. And the operators and maintenance crews… hey, they make it happen everyday and certainly deserve a cut in this, too. Quality infrastructure is a core component of good government, economic investment, and neighborhood improvement. It’s not the answer to every woe in Century, but it’s a positive step in the right direction.

By: Dehydrated

Dehydrated — Tue, 02 May 2017 21:25:51 +0000

Not sure why everyone is so upset about a water price increase. If the water authority was being run by the private sector the price increases would come with zero input from the public. Water and sewage treatment is one of the most poorly funded organizations across the board. Add to it that society can’t exist without clean fresh water and sanitary elimination of that water. If the city doesn’t at minimum increase prices at the rate of inflation the cost of the service is getting cheaper year over year. If you want the city to run a sustainable operation with a balanced budget you should expect prices increases from time to time. A lack of price increases would make me think they were being fiscally irresponsible not the other way around.

By: Grand Locust

Grand Locust — Tue, 02 May 2017 19:51:54 +0000

These type of increases shout that government has not done their job. This should have been done incrementally, and either indicates incompetency or lack of courage.

By: Century Resident

Century Resident — Tue, 02 May 2017 19:19:31 +0000

I think the fact that the town can justify keeping the utility viable by increasing the rates which justifies that the town is eligible to apply for grants because we are incorporated still serves the citizens of Century for their own health and well being. With out this incorporation, the cost for upgrades would be absorbed with even higher rates.

I for one want to know if my water line has been updated. I want to ensure the water is not passing through old lead pipes and that a new upgrade to modern plastic pipe can be accomplished.

I want a better consumer confidence report reflecting parameters such as VOC, due to the SWAPP assessments data. What about trace metals, nitrates, nitrites etc… Why does the CCR mostly show inorganic? Surely more is tested under the SWDA.

Due to the fact the homes already have sewer and water connections, most likely ECUA would take over if the town unincorporated as some have suggested on here.

ECUA is professional. They offer discounts to senior citizens, have a better web site, recycle, online payment and more, they are also raising rates themselves. I wonder if other costs would be involved such as grinder pumps, sewage meter installations, connection fees.

True, the citizens of Century can call for a vote and unincorporate, lose a layer of government and come directly under District 5. Is that the best thing for the citizens?

What unforeseen consequences or advantages will that bring? The unknown, I think residents will be pushed back, code come across the board, roads widened and improved. The employees would be laid off as well as the officials and the mayor. I think most of the citizen who voted for Hawkins want to give him a chance, Identity politics? Maybe? They will not vote or favor to unincorporate. Perhaps citizens do not even understand they have the power to do that but neither will most want to at this time.

Septic tanks and wells will not be permitted plus the cost to install these are at almost 10K. That will not happen.

I suppose if the residents do not like the current situation, they have the option to move elsewhere and see if the costs, services are better.

I wonder about the business model of serving the prison and outlying areas, not with in the town limits, maybe they know more about it than I do.

By: don't understand

don't understand — Tue, 02 May 2017 17:38:57 +0000

sammyjo why is century poverty stricken? Don’t say because of no jobs. That would be just lying. Town of Century is hiring for 2 positions and only got a hand full of applications. the news papers always have adds for truck drivers, they will even pay for your schooling to get your cdl, AND even pay you while you go to school. THATS a win win situation right there, THATS BINGO BABY. There is plenty of jobs out there, might not be what you want but a little something is better than a lot of nothing. The only catch is you have to get off the couch and go earn it. I KNOW IT SOUNDS SCARY, BUT AFTER YOU DO IT FOR A LITTLE WHILE IT’S NOT SO BAD I PROMISE

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 02 May 2017 17:24:58 +0000

Many folks appear mad at the wrong elected officials. The officials you should be mad at are the ones who chose to forego the necessary rate increases which allowed the system to lose money and become dilapidated.

I hate rate increases. I bemoan them every time I get the notice that rates are increasing. I have always felt that new growth should offset the need for additional revenue. However, I also realize that cost do rise and as such what I pay for the service must also increase. These new rates bring the cost of services in line to what is being charged by ECUA. In some cases they are still a little cheaper. However, these new rates will keep the system operating and financially solvent for years to come.

Dont blame the current Mayor and Board members for doing what the former Mayor and Board members should have been doing the last few years. Had small rate increases occurred during previous years, it wouldnt require such a large increase at currently being implemented to get things back on the right track.

By: Retired

Retired — Tue, 02 May 2017 16:53:37 +0000

I think some of the losses in revenue last year were due to the loss of so many homes with the tornado perhaps,

Century, I advocate that you get a website going and use that forum to reach out and explain things better.

Not everyone like to go to public meetings and question things–, you know with DWTS on at the same time and other reasons.

By: RASHEED jACKSON

RASHEED jACKSON — Tue, 02 May 2017 16:25:53 +0000

Someone complains about rate increases but then said give raises to the employees. How are you going to give raises when you are losing money?
It looks to me like the Mayor and Town Council made some tough decisions and they weren’t popular with the residents. We all want the services so we all will need to be willing to pay or them.
I know there are some that live on fixed incomes and these increases are going to be hard to absorb. but all things have a cost and that cost is passed on to the consumers.
The City has put off the increases long enough and the City officials had to do a very unpopular thing to keep the City afloat. Good job Mayor and Town Council.

By: anne 1of2

anne 1of2 — Tue, 02 May 2017 16:18:45 +0000

I’d kill for a bill water that low. It isn’t the water, but the sewer that adds to the bill. But having had an outhouse on a farm in TN, I’ll pay that sewer bill any day, lol.