Water rates increase slightly

rseaborn@pickenssentinel.com

PICKENS - In a special meeting Monday night, City of Pickens leaders approved first reading of the 2008-09 budget that calls for no tax hike for residents.

However, water customers will see a slight increase in their bills as the City makes ready for upgrading the water plant, Administrator Chris Eldridge said.

Under the new budget, rater rates for customers within city limits will see $2 added to their bills, bringing the current rate of $9.50 to $11.50 for the first 3,000 gallons of water. Rates for water usage of 3,000 to 250,000 gallons will rise 40 cents, going from $3.10 to $3.50.

Customers outside the city's limits, who now pay either $16.75 or $18.35, will be billed $20 for the first 3,000 gallons of water used and $4 for each additional 1,000 above that, an increase of 20 cents from the present $3.80.

"The big thing is the water plant upgrade," Eldridge said. "And we are looking into other financing for that."

According to Eldridge, the City has applied for various state and federal grants to help foot the $13 million project.

"We are in line for a SRLM - State Revolving Loan Money," Eldridge said. "We're in the pot for that and a United States Department of Agriculture grant and Community Development Block Grant."

Water rates could continue to rise, depending on which grants Pickens is awarded, he said.

"That's just it, we don't know what is going to come through, grant-wise," he said. "The Presidential election could even play a role in which grants are available."

In addition, other factors could add to a hike in water fees, he said.

Some areas outside South Carolina are reporting the finding of prescription drugs in the water system, Eldridge said.

"And if (the Department of Health and Environmental Control) adds another level of treatment, it sends the cost up," he said.

Also included in the 2008-09 budget is a three percent salary merit increase for City employees, $150,000 to pay for lighting at the Pickens Recreation Center ball field, several vehicles for use by various departments within the City, and four self contained breathing apparatuses and three turnout suits for the fire department, Eldridge said.

"There are not any big changes," he said. "Our big project (other than the revamping of the water plant) is to extend a ten-inch water line up Highway 8 to Meadow Brook, and that would get us through the worst section, where we are having the most water breaks."

Councilman Connie Bowers, chairman of the finance committee, said the group has reviewed the proposed budget several times and recommended that it be accepted.

"The finance committee has been through this a couple of times and is comfortable with what is in it," he said.

Second reading of the budget will be held during the April 7 regular meeting of council.

In the following work session, council decided to hold a cleanup day in early April to get the town ready for the Azalea Festival, scheduled for April 18-19.