The Henry County Public Service Authority (PSA) will hold a public hearing on Monday, May 19, regarding a potential water and wastewater rate increase.
The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. in the Summerlin Room of the Henry County Administration Building.
Public Information Officer (PIO) Brandon Martin said the proposed increase is $5 for both water and wastewater services.
“Currently, it’s $30 for water and wastewater. If the rate increase is approved, it’d be $35 for water and $35 for wastewater, and that’s just for our residential group,” he said.
Martin noted that the rate will also increase by $5 for non-residential users and RV/campgrounds, which currently pay $45 each for water and wastewater.
While the PSA has been able to delay a rate increase for some time, Martin said the rising cost of services has made it necessary.
“No matter what you do, even in your own personal life, things have gone up. So, the county still operates on some of those same services,” he said.
For example, Martin said he believes the cost of electricity has increased over the past decade, during which time the PSA has not raised its rates.
“But we haven’t been taking that into account in terms of the rates that our customers have to pay. We’ve been able to absorb it for as long as we can, but it’s gotten to that point where we can no longer continue to absorb it without affecting some of the other services that we provide. So, we’ve just (been) incorporating those rising costs into the rate now,” he said.
If approved, the rate increase is expected to take effect on July 1.
