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December 16, 2009

City eyes water rate increases

By Trent Moore The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — Water and sewer rates in the City of Cullman are set to rise by nearly 10 percent next year — plus every subsequent year until 2012.

The Cullman City Council held a first reading for ordinances to establish new retail water and sewer rates, beginning on Jan. 1, 2010. The council is expected to approve the new rates later this month.

The 3,000 gallon minimum water usage rate within the city will increase from $17.31 to $19, while every 1,000 gallons after that will rise from $4 to $4.40.

The 3,000 gallon minimum sewer rate inside the city will increase from $24.37 to $26.75, and every 1,000 gallons after that will rise from $7.74 to $8.50.

Rates are expected to continue to rise by approximately 9.3 percent for the next two years.

Junior Heaton, the city water and wastewater superintendent, said the increased rates are necessary to continue making improvements to the city’s infrastructure.

“That is to cover the costs as we keep working on the system,” he said. “We’re still working to replace a lot of lines that have been in there for up to 70 years. It takes funds to be able to do it.”

Council president Garlan Gudger Jr. said the current administration is making improvements for future generations.

“We’re trying to rehab the system, so that whoever comes in after us will have it in good shape,” he said.

Even with the upcoming increase, city accountant Wes Moore said city retail rates are still lower than many surrounding water systems.

The county water system charges a 3,000 gallon minimum of approximately $22.63, Johnson’s Crossing charges a minimum of approximately $21 and the Walter water system charges a minimum of approximately $16.09, according to city documents.

“We’re still at a very competitive rate,” Moore said. “We are one of the lowest in our region.”

The retail rate increases will not affect wholesale water system customers who purchase water from the Cullman Utilities Board.

“This has nothing to do with that,” Cullman Mayor Max Townson said. “There is an agreed-upon formula to set those rates and we can’t change them. This is just for city water retail customers.”

The council also:

* Approved a request to take bids for the sanitation department for 10 eight-yard and 10 four-yard dumpsters, at an estimated cost of $12,000.

* Authorized payment to Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood for pre-demolition screening for Greif Brothers property, at an estimated cost up to $13,500.

* Authorized the mayor to sign an agreement with Garver, LLC for an airport hangar project. A resolution was passed by the council on April 27th, 2009 to apply for $210,234 grant funds from State of Alabama Department of Transportation for the hangar.



* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.

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