Politics & Government
Oconee County Water And Sewer Rates To Increase By 3 Percent If Budget Request Is Approved
Utility Department Director Chris Thomas said he needs increases in part because of debt for projects such as Hard Labor Creek reservoir.
Oconee County water and sewer customers will pay an additional 3 percent in rates starting on July 1 if the Board of Commissioners accepts the budget proposed by Public Utilities Director Chris Thomas.
Thomas told the commissioners at a budget hearing on Wednesday evening that he would like to keep the rate the same for those who use the minimum amount of water, but rates for everyone else would go up.
If the commissioners approve the budget request, it would be the eighth year in a row in the county for a water rate increase and the seventh year in a row for an increase in sewer rates.
The rate increase is necessary, Thomas told the Board, in part because of increased debt service, including for the ongoing construction of the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir in southeastern Walton County.
For more on the story, go to Oconee County Observations.
Pictured: Chris Thomas.