Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Council delays okay on water-sewer rate hike

Zephyrhills officials say a boost is needed, but council members want another study.

By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published August 23, 2005

ZEPHYRHILLS - City Council members on Monday delayed action on raising water and sewer rates for customers.

The council instead asked for the possibility of conducting another study to determine appropriate new rates. The rates have not changed in about 10 years.

Using a study by the Florida Rural Water Association, City Manager Steve Spina proposed raising the base rates for water and sewer service, and the water use rates on a graduated scale.

Utilities superintendent Louie Sellars said the recommended increases were much needed and might not be enough.

"We do need to do something about increasing our costs (rates)," he said.

In other news:

--Council members approved adding four new patrol officer positions to next year's Police Department budget. Two will be added right away, and two more in April in order to save money.

--The council approved an agreement between the city airport and the state Department of Transportation to build new hangars and buy fuel trucks. The city is responsible for $200,000 of the $800,000 agreement.

[Last modified August 23, 2005, 02:45:30]