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DEL.ICIO.USConservation reduces county use by 30%
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/08/08
Fulton County officials praised county water users Wednesday for their success at conservation — then socked them with a 15 percent rate increase for their effort.
The conservation penalty the County Commission adopted Wednesday 6-0 matches the increase Atlanta utility officials asked to impose earlier this year but which the City Council so far has resisted. The average water/sewer bill should increase nearly $9 per month to a total of about $68 per month, water officials said.
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The county provides water and sewer service to some areas of north Fulton County. It provides sewer service only in Sandy Springs and south Fulton. The county also has some north Fulton customers who only get water.
All will get the 15 percent hike.
Utility managers said water use has dropped by as much as 30 percent since last year when Gov. Sonny Perdue asked each county to cut usage by at least 10 percent because of the lingering drought. That has Fulton facing potential default on its bonds, said Angela Parker, public works director.
"We just can't swallow this reduction in revenues," Parker said.
She said Fulton one day might roll back the rates if the drought ends and revenues return to pre-drought levels.
Commissioners said they felt Fulton had to raise rates despite the slumping economy.
"I'm deeply concerned about raising water rates, but we have no choice," Commissioner Emma Darnell said. "This is a minor range of situations where a rate increase can be justified."
Economy Jackson of Atlanta protested the action on behalf of Habitat for Humanity, which builds low-cost homes all over Fulton.
"Because people are saving money, they are being charged," she said. "We are doing what you asked us to do. We are opposed to this rate increase."
Atlanta's proposed conservation penalty continues to be stalled in the City Council's utilities committee and does not appear to be headed toward passage.
Atlanta water utility officials began pushing on Tuesday a four-year rate hike plan that includes the money the conservation penalty would have collected. It would bump up the average water/sewer bill 80 percent — from $84.60 a month to $151.92 — during the next four years.
Council members are expected to consider the rate increases in the next seven weeks as they consider the 2008-09 budget, which starts July 1 and has a projected $140 million shortfall.
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Comments
By janet
May 10, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
I'm with ya. Let's vote out the commission. This has to be the most ignorant decision I've ever heard of. And when is the Army corp going to held financially accountable for their 22 billion gallon "mistake." Maybe it's time they're forced to sell Lanier's shoreline to private investors. I'd love to hear of the current employment status of the "engineers" who made the mistake to begin with. I bet if I made that mistake the county would be coming after my house, cars, etc!!!!!!
By Kay
May 10, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
I live in a county of idiots, 24 years I have watched the "good ole' boy" network play with my money and I am sick of it. I have always conserved water to the n'th and now I am being punished for it? I have a yard filled with many varieties of cactus that, obviously I do not water.....and Fulton County is punishing me for this....??? Vote them all out of office...and if we can create new cities like Milton, then we sure as heck can get together and go back to having a Milton County and get the fools that run Fulton out of our pockets.
By Kay
May 10, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
There is a water leak in the county's line near my house. I reported it to both Fulton and Alpharetta as far back as March when I found it. All I have got so far is promises to check it out. Meanwhile my 24 years of creating a naturefriendly yard (ie: leaving a lot of it neat but natural, xero-scaping before the word was invented, etc) is going downhill. Thirty year old azelias are dying from lack of water, no grass, all of which I can live with if that is what it takes to keep the water flowing...but this $$%$@^ leak is just TOOOO MUCH!!!!!
By A real Jokester
May 9, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Heard any good jokes lately? Here's one: "She said Fulton one day might roll back the rates if the drought ends and revenues return to pre-drought levels." There's a real laugher. Every seen a bureaucrat willing to give money back?? NEVER!!!!
By ATL
May 9, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
Fulton County did the responsible thing. It's the Governor that was irresponsible to mandate these 10% reductions that drastically reduced water/sewer utility revenue across N. Georiga.
Milton County, by the way, is the greediest and dumbest idea this State has come up with in a long time.
By matt
May 9, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
I support any politician who introduces legislature to eliminate Fulton County. It's useless and only causes problems for it's residents. VOTE THEM OUT!!!
By matt
May 9, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
I support any politician who introduces legislature to eliminate Fulton County. It's useless and only causes problems for it's residents. VOTE THEM OUT!!!
By matt
May 9, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
I support any politician that introduces legislature to eliminate Fulton County. It's useless and only causes problems for it's residents. VOTE THEM OUT!!!
By matt
May 9, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
I support any politician that introduces legislature to eliminate Fulton County. It's useless and only causes problems for it's residents. VOTE THEM OUT!!!
By Get Out the Vote
May 8, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
I won't advise anyone to not pay their water bill. But I will advise anyone in Fulton County to vote against all incumbents on the Fulton County Commission. Less water useage does mean less revenue. And yes they still have to pay the bonds. This has been over a year and the making and the Commissioners did not have the forsight to see it coming? I don't think everyone related to this situation is that dumb. They need to figure out how to make due with the current budget like hopefully the Atlanta will have to do. It is said that our elected officials continue to run our government so terribly and figure the tax payers will bail them out by shelling out more of their hard earned money.
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