The Gist: Fulton County needs more money to improve water service and is considering a change to the water rate structure to generate the funding.
You can give input: The county is holding two public hearings on the rate change where residents can find out about the changes and give their input. If you live in South Fulton, you can attend a meeting Monday, Sept. 23. at the Fulton County South Service Center. The address is: 5600 Stonewall Tell Road in College Park.
If you live in North Fulton, you can attend a meeting Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Fulton County North Service Center. The address for that meeting is 7741 Roswell Road in Atlanta.
Both meetings are from 5 to 8 p.m.
When would the new rates go into effect?: If the Fulton County Commission approves new rates, they would go into effect Jan. 1, 2020.
Why are the rate increases being proposed?: Here is the explanation for the increases directly from Fulton County’s website:
“Based on the recent financial analysis, in order to complete the revised 2020 – 2026 Capital Improvement Program, Fulton County must provide additional funding for the capital improvement projects.
“Over the past three years, Fulton County Public Works staff has begun implementing projects in the CIP. These projects include the Camp Creek Clarifier Upgrade, the Big Creek – Cobb County Diversion project, and construction of the Little River expansion facility. Additionally, the design of the Big Creek facility has progressed and staff is estimating a total construction budget of approximately $300 million will be needed for the expansion.
“Based on the work undertaken over the past three years and the need to address the Inflow and Infiltration into the sewer system under the Spill Mitigation Program, Public Works has updated the CIP to include the $40 million in funds for the Spill Mitigation Program and $300 million for the Big Creek expansion. The revised CIP was then reevaluated for total revenue needs in the spring and summer of 2019.”
How much will rates go up?: According to the AJC, the average resident’s rates will increase gradually between 2020 and 2022, with the average water bill being about $76.99 per month by 2022.
Your Response?: What do you think about the increase? Do you think this is a good reason to increase water rates and how do you feel about paying more for water? Respond by clicking here.
