Published: July 20, 2008 11:02 pm      

Water rate may rise for Flatwoods

FLATWOODS — Water and sewer rates may soon go up in Flatwoods.

The city council is expected to consider a rate hike at its Aug. 1 meeting, Mayor Bobby Crager said.

Under a tentative rate schedule, users of less than 2,000 gallons per month, who pay the minimum rate, would see their monthly bill go up by $1.51, Crager said. Sewer rates for those users would go up 84 cents.

Users of 5,000 gallons per month, about average for Flatwoods, would pay an additional $2 for water and $1.75 for sewer. Users of larger volumes also would see increases.

Flatwoods provides water to some customers outside the city limits and those bills will go up too.

The city needs the additional revenue because it is paying more for the water, Crager said. Flatwoods buys water from Ashland and Russell and has seen an approximately 14 percent increase in its cost.

Other costs also continue to rise, including electricity for the pump station, meters, salaries and insurance, Crager said. “We’re just trying to keep our head above water.”

The proposed rate schedule is subject to change before the council votes on it.

The council also is expected to enact an ordinance to combat property neglect, mainly from home foreclosures.

Under the ordinance, the city would notify owners of neglected properties to fix violations within seven days. Noncompliance would result in the city doing the work and placing a lien on the property for the cost.

Flatwoods has seen an increase in the number of neglected properties following foreclosures, City Attorney Stephen McGinnis said. Virtually all of the neglected properties belong to out-of-state banks and mortgage holders, he said.

The properties in question have varying degrees of neglect, including uncut grass and piles of trash and refuse.

The council has already given the ordinance preliminary approval and requires a second vote to make it law.

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.