Century Water Rates Could Nearly Double In Effort To Keep System Afloat
March 4, 2026
Town of Century water system customers are facing a potential rate hike that would nearly double the cost of water usage, alongside smaller increases for wastewater.
Dyana Jo Stewart of the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) told the Century Town Council this week that it must raise rates in order to remain financially viable and make payments on six outstanding loans. As a member, Century received the rate study at no cost from the non-profit FRWA.
FRWA presented two rate hike recommendations: one with a large increase now, the second with three small increases over the next two-and-a-half years that will actually cost consumers more. The town council did not choose either scenario this week, but is expected to finalize plans at its March 17 meeting.
The council has also scheduled a public meeting for next Tuesday, March 10, at 6:15 at town hall to hear public input.
“Do you want to go ahead and take the hit and be done, or look at doing it for the next few years?” Stewart asked. She said the current rate structure will only lose money and not sustain the water utility. “If you don’t do it by April 1, you will have to use more of your reserves; you might have to borrow more money to balance out the end of the fiscal year.”
“That’s a hard decision we have to make,” Councilman John Bass said. “We are going to have to do this. I want to make sure we are transparent with the citizens.”
“It’s going to be an increase,” Council president Dynette Lewis said. “It’s unfortunate that it’s right after something we just came off of,” she added, referring to a recent sanitation fee increase.
Click any table below to enlarge.
SCENARIO – BIG INCREASE NOW
The first scenario would double the current base rate for 2,000 gallons from the current $13.59 to $26.64 beginning April 1 and continue for three years before incremental increases to $29.11 in 2029. Usage tiers over 2,000 gallons a month would increase nearly double up to 5,000 gallons (from $2.59 to $5.08) with other increases for additional usage.
For an average customer using an average 5,000 gallons of water per month, the water cost would rise from $21.36 to $41.87 while the study says combined water and wastewater cost would rise from $48.95 per month to $70.84 in April, with additional increases to $80.56 by 2029. That study says that is comparable to other towns of similar size.
SCENARIO 2 — SERIES OF THREE STEP INCREASES
In the second scenario presented by the FRWA, there would be three smaller increases — April 1, 2026; October 1, 2026; and October 1, 2027.
Under the second option, the base rate would increase from $13.59 for 2,000 gallons to $20.39 before going to $25.48 in 2027 and $29.74 by 2029.
The average user consuming 5,000 gallons per month would see their water and wastewater bill increase from a current $48.95 to $61.01 in April and eventually $81.95 in 2029 for water and wastewater.
Under both scenarios, there would be additional small increases for wastewater and, in future years, increases based upon the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to account for inflation.
Pictured top: Dyana Jo Stewart of the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) addresses the Century Town Council. NorthEsscambia.com photo/graphics, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Charged With Alleged Hammer Assault
March 4, 2026
A Walnut Hill man was charged with the alleged battery of a female relative.
Gary Glenn Roley, 55, was charged with second degree felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor battery, all domestic violence related. He was later released on a $22,500 bond.
Deputies responded to the home after emergency dispatch advised that a woman had called stating a male was going to murder her with a hammer. Upon arrival, the responding deputy heard the victim’s cries for help and made an unannounced entry into the home, where he discovered Roley and the victim on the floor near a doorway. The deputy drew his agency issued firearm, and Roley was immediately detained and placed in a patrol vehicle without incident.
Deputies said Roley then retrieved a hammer and began beating on the door to reach her. While forcing his arm through the door, Roley struck the victim with the hammer at least twice before entering the room to punch, kick, and pull her hair.
Responding officers noted that the victim had blood on her arms, face, and clothing, and she appeared to have difficulty using her right arm. Deputies also observed broken drywall, a damaged door, and a hammer on the laundry room floor.
Overnight Fog, Back In The Low 80s For Thursday
March 4, 2026
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Areas of fog after midnight. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 63. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 9am. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Wednesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Evan Taylor’s Third Home Run Of The Night Gives Tate Walk-Off Win Over Crestview
March 4, 2026
Evan Taylor’s third home run of the night gave the Tate Aggies a 7-6 walk-off win over the Crestview Bulldogs on Tuesday night at Tate.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Aggies were down 6-5 when Taylor hit a two-run homer to right field. His other two home runs came in the fourth and sixth innings.
Taylor went 3-4 overall with four RBIs. Kaden Posta and Griffin Cook added two hits each while Conner Dethlefs and Cooper Halfacre had one each.
Nathan Conners started on the mound for Tate, giving up three hits and one run in four and one-third innings while striking out four and walking six.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Veterans Services Outreach On Thursday In Molino
March 4, 2026
The Escambia County Veterans Services Office will hold an outreach event on Thursday, March 5 in Molino.
Veterans are invited to discuss veteran benefits with an accredited veteran service officer from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Molino Community Center, 6450 North Highway 95A.
Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. No appointment is required.
Veterans Services Office staff members will be available to help with topics including reviewing VA benefits, filing a VA claim, and re-evaluating VA disability.
Additional vendors scheduled to part include:
- Escambia County Property Appraiser’s Office
- Legal Services of North Florida
- The Office of Florida State Representative Michelle Salzman, District One
- United Way of West Florida
- Pensacola Vet Center
For more information, call (850) 595-2409 or email VSO@myescambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate Lady Aggies Drop Close One To Gulf Breeze (With Gallery)
March 4, 2026
The Tate Lady Aggie dropped a close one to the Gulf Breeze Dolphins on Tuesday night at Tate. The Dolphins came out on top 6-5.
The Aggies took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third with an inside-the-park home run from Madison Smillie that scored two runs. Smillie, Kaylie Mitchell and Brelynn Morris each had one hit for the Lady Aggies.
Sarah Mitchell took the loss for Tate in five innings, surrendering five runs and one hit while striking out seven and walking nine. Kaylen Relstab stepped in the circle for two innings of no-hit ball, allowing one unearned run and striking out two.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School’s Lauren Samo Named Beyond START Mentor Of The Month
March 4, 2026
Escambia County Public Schools’ Professional Learning Department had recognized Lauren Samo of Ransom Middle School as the September Beyond START Mentor of the Month. The award was presented on Monday morning. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Aubrey Hadley’s RBIs Helps Propel Lady Chiefs Over WFHS; NHS Baseball Beats EHS
March 4, 2026
SOFTBALL
Northview 7, West Florida 2
Four RBIs from Aubrey Hadley help lead the Northview Lady Chiefs to a 7-2 win over the West Florida Jaguars on Tuesday night in Pensacola.
Hadley had a three-run triple in the fourth inning as she went 1-2 on the night.
Mikayla McAnally was in the circle first for the Chiefs, giving up one hit and no runs in five innings, walking one and striking out five. Peyton Woman surrendered five hits and two earned runs in two innings, striking out one.
Addysen Bolen, Riley Brooks, and Kylie Langham each added two hits for the Lady Chiefs.
BASEBALL
Northview 3, Escambia 1
The Northview Chiefs beat the Escambia Gators 3-1 on the road Tuesday night.
Bryant Mason earned the win for Northview, allowing no hits and no runs while striking out nine and walking three in five innings. Jack Boutwell was on the mound for two innings, allowing two hits, one unearned run, walking two and striking out one.
At the plate, Mason went 3-4. Jase Portwood, Jackson Bridges, and Kobi Fiorenti each added a hit.
Tate Boys Tennis Beats Navarre 7-0
March 4, 2026
The Tate Aggies tennis boys team earned another 7-0 win Tuesday, this time over Navarre.
The 7-0 win is becoming somewhat of a theme for the boys team—with recent 7-0 wins over Milton, Washington and Escambia. The Aggies are now 6-1 on the season.
The Tate girls lost 7-0.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Eddie Franklin Bondurant
March 4, 2026
Mr. Eddie Franklin Bondurant, age 78, of Century, Florida passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Eddie was born in Century, Florida on October 15, 1947 to the late Eugene Franklin Bondurant and Bessie Patrick Bondurant. He spent his entire life in the Century area and was a member of Century First Baptist Church.
He was a dedicated worker with the Civil Service at the Naval Air Station, but he also cherished his free time. He found joy in simple activities like hunting and fishing, as well as tending to his yard. Traveling, camping, and enjoying the beach and mountains brought him great happiness. A big sports fan, Eddie loved watching racing and classic westerns on TV. One of his favorite things to do was cook breakfast and spend quality moments with his family. He was very active in his community, serving as President of the Century Little League for many years and being a proud member of the Century Lions Club.
Mr. Bondurant is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Elaine Kelley Bondurant of Century, Florida; one son, Jonathan Bondurant of Century, Florida; one daughter, Christie Moye of Century, Florida; two brothers, Jerry Bondurant (Irene) of Byrneville, Florida, and David Bondurant (Cricket) of Milton, Florida; two grandchildren, Hillary Moye and Justin Moye; and two great-grandchildren, Easton Lane Moye and Tinsley Moye.
Funeral services will be held at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM with Rev. David Boyd officiating.
Visitation will be held Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Steve Stanton, Eddie Dunsford, Bubba Hammac, Brian Conway, Michael Patrick, and Coy Campbell.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Century Lions Club.
Burial will follow at Mize Cemetery.