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.
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.
Escambia County Man Charged With Threatening President Donald Trump
March 3, 2026
An Escambia County man has been charged for making criminal threats against President Donald Trump.
Markus Edward Hamlett, 46, was indicted in federal court on one count of threatening the president of the United States.
According to federal court documents, Hamlett made threats to the life of President Donald Trump via emails, phone calls, and in person.
The U.S. Secret Service said those emails included statements such as “I’m planning on murdering Donald trump,” and “He’s VERY dangerous and I’ll stop at nothing to stop him”.
He was first detained by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and transported to Lakeview Center under the Baker Act for evaluation. At Lakeview, he reportedly made numerous verbal statements to the intake staff at the facility, threatening to take the life of President Trump.
When Secret Service agents arrived at Lakeview the following day, Hamlett “stated he had been waiting a long time to speak with us. He stated, ‘I have been sending emails and making phone calls for a year trying to get arrested.’,” according to court documents.
Records show he was also arrested in October 2025 in California for threats against the president after allegedly making a 911 call and advising that he had “a great plan to assassinate Donald Trump.”
If convicted, Hamlett faces up to five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. His trial is set for April 6.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson.
Pictured: According to a U.S. Secret Service affidavit obtained by NorthEscambia.com, Markus Edward Hamlett sent the emails (above) in regards to President Donald Trump, and submitted an additional threat one the CIA website (below).
Elected Or Appointed School Superintendent? Escambia Commission To Consider Ballot Referendum
March 3, 2026
The Escambia County Commission will take the next step this week to potentially place a referendum on the ballot in 2026 to again ask voters if they want an elected or appointed superintendent.
The Escambia County School board voted 3-2 on February 18, 2025, to place a referendum on the general election ballot to send the question back to voters. The referendum was introduced by District 5 member Tom Harrell, with Harrell, Kevin Adams, and Paul Fesko voting in favor. Board members Carissa Bergosh and David Williams were opposed. The school board then sent the referendum to the county commission for approval.
The county commission will vote Thursday on scheduling a public hearing for 5:32 p.m. on April 1 to consider an ordinance authorizing the countywide referendum to determine if the Superintendent of Schools of Escambia County, should be an elected position to be placed on the statewide primary election ballot on August 18, 2026, as requested by the school board.
“I feel very strongly about this,” Harrell, who campaigned on a return to an elected superintendent, said last February. “The county, I think, feels very strongly. There’s never anything wrong with letting the people decide. When you have a democracy, it’s all about people making decisions.”
“Deep down in my heart, having been here in this district for 60 years, that’s what the people of this district want,” Harrell added. “It’s the right time; it’s the right thing to do.”
A final vote from the commission will come at a later date.