Century Set To Appove Water Rate Hike, Support For Library Tax

January 26, 2013

The Century Town Council is poised to hike water rates and agree to implement a proposed Escambia County property tax as a dedicated funding source for the county’s library system.

The town will hold a public hearing a take a final vote Monday night to approve an overall 10 percent rate hike to be implemented with an immediate 5 percent increase and additional 5 percent increase six months later.

If the ordinance passes, the rate for the first 1,500 gallons of water will increase to $9.45 on February 1 and increase again to $9.90 on August 1. Each additional 1,000 gallons will be $2.27 on February 1 and $2.49 on August 1. Sewer rates will remain the same at $13 for the first 6,000 gallons of water used.

The rate increase would be the first in the Century since 1995. In the past, the town has had difficulty applying for, or receiving the full amount of, federal grants for the water system because Century’s rates were markedly lower than surrounding areas.

The council will also hold a public hearing and take a final vote to approve an ordinance to collect a MSTU within the town to support the county’s libraries. Countywide, the tax will generate an estimated $3.7 million for library operations. The tax is estimated to cost the average Century resident from $1 to $7 on their property tax bill beginning next year.

The water rate increase and library tax public hearings will be held during the Century Town Council’s meeting beginning at 7 p.m. Monday at the town hall.

Pictured top: Century Town Council members Gary Riley, Ann Brooks, Sandra McMurry Jackson and Jacke Johnston. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive