The Herald-News - News Story

Spring City residents may soon see an increase in their water bills.

In a special called meeting this week, the Spring City Commission voted 4-1 to increase water rates by 20 percent. Jeff "Bimbo" Rhear voted against the rate increase, but he declined to comment after the meeting.

The second reading of the rate increase will be held July 2 at 7 p.m.

A public hearing regarding the rate increase will be held before the meeting at 6:45 p.m.

Residents who attended the Spring City Commission meeting Tuesday were not happy with the proposed increase.

Spring City resident Bonnie Bolkcom said that Spring City is not providing the citizens "our money's worth."

"There are a lot of older people that are on fixed incomes," Bolkcom said. "It's going to be hard on them."

Resident Judy Driver echoed those sentiments.

"I can't see why it has to go up like this when it's such as small town," she said.

Mayor Mary Sue Garrison said commissioners have had several workshops discussing this issue.

"This is not a decision that we have taken lightly," Garrison said.

Garrison stated numerous reasons for the raise, including state mandated safety requirements, increased chemical fees and more testing requirements. One such test costs $18,500 per year and at least two years of testing is required.

Garrison said these requirements are "unfunded mandates."

"They tell you what to do, but don't give you the money to pay for it," Garrison said.

Also Spring City must show profit or the state will step in and set the rates.

As of April 2009, the state law allows two years without profit before the state steps in.

Garrison said five years ago the state stepped in and raised rates by 30 percent.

Vice Mayor Mike Jolley said that even with the increase water rates will still be considerably
cheaper than surrounding areas.

With the 20 percent increase the minimum water bill in Spring City is $17.69. Watts Bar customers pay a minimum bill of $19, officials said. Sale Creek pays a minimum bill of $24.16.

Jolley said that Spring City is fortunate to have the water sources it does because it allows the town to maintain reasonable rates.

He said many counties automatically raise water prices 5 percent every year.

Jolley said that the drought last year brought attention to the commodity of water.

"Water is precious," Jolley said. "Good clean water is harder to come by."