ECUA Considering Rate Increases

August 1, 2014

The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is considering rate increases that could be on customer bills by next year.

The ECUA board is looking at a 3 percent increase in water and wastewater rates. They are also considering  a 3.5 percent, or 66 cent, increase in the sanitation rate, a direct pass-along of increased tipping fees at the Escambia County owned Perdido Landfill.

The water and wastewater increase will be allocated mostly for improvements to aging infrastructure.

ECUA will hold public hearings on the rate increases at 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 28 in the ECUA board road at 9255 Sturdevant Street before a final vote on the 2015 rate increases.

Comments

12 Responses to “ECUA Considering Rate Increases”

  1. joy bryant on August 3rd, 2014 6:55 am

    since those of us in Northern Escambia county have private water companies which are constantly going up – Molino water has really gone up and who knows what that hike is covering? I sure don’t
    and now we are to pay more for trash – I love the way that they take care of picking up promptly and gathering our debris from our yards, etc. but
    THERE SHOULD BE A BREAK FOR Social Security – fixed income residents

    Higher taxes, food, gas, utilities, don’t even get me started on Gulf Power –
    meds – good grief they are trying to get rid of us!!!

  2. I understand--- on August 2nd, 2014 11:40 pm

    that no one likes utility bills to go up! But—-even the folks thatraise sometimes.—and I am so thankful for trash pick-up and water,

  3. Mr. Reality on August 2nd, 2014 9:47 am

    OH the public meeting is on a THURS at 2pm..How convenient.

  4. Mr. Reality on August 2nd, 2014 9:41 am

    Hey TOM,

    I ran a load to the dump just the other day and it cost me $3. It was a TRUCK LOAD FULL.

    Now, how is it that they need an increase in trash pick up yet the cut the service by 50% just a few years ago. Where did that money go?

    Hummmmmmm…

    VOTE ALL INCUMBENTS OUT OF OFFICE IN NOV!!!!

  5. patti on August 1st, 2014 1:52 pm

    Thanks Mr. Walker for arranging for my above ground pool to be picked up!! I appreciated the help. I had all the plastic parts packed up so it would be easier to move. I really didn’t want to have to go to the landfill and dump it myself. Before we had garbage pick-up in our area, we went to Walnut Hill dumping area on Hwy. 99. I was so glad when garbage pick-up came to our area. I know how hard you’ve worked to keep the price down and make every effort to try to keep the services going in the rural area. THANKS!

  6. Tom on August 1st, 2014 10:17 am

    Let me see if I understand. Those of you that use ECUA sanitation pay $18.80 per month ($4.70 a week) to have you garbage and yard trash hauled to the land fill and you want to cry because it may go up a few cents a week. Try taking your own junk to the land fill and see how much that costs you. Quit all the “crybaby” crap, pay the bill and be glad you don’t have to go to the nasty land fill.

  7. Randy on August 1st, 2014 9:12 am

    1. Must be nice to increase your revenue instead of trying to budget within your means. I think I will just increase my fixed income instead of trying to live within my means.

  8. aam on August 1st, 2014 8:06 am

    I think it is time to consider your votes. I will not be voting for Larry Walker again if this increase goes through. It’s time to do more with less just like we have to do at work.

  9. Dennis HE Wiggins on August 1st, 2014 7:53 am

    I am anxious to see – if (WHEN) this increase goes into effect – how much of a “cost of living adjustment” the management gets. While it is possible that they will get none, it is my experience that the raises in rates conveniently coincide with the raises in management pay!

  10. Walnut Hill Roy on August 1st, 2014 7:15 am

    Amen Don,

    Anyone who’s been to a grocery store or bought fuel in the last 5 years knows that you can’t make ends meet when everyone else is getting a larger increase than you are and the amount of food in a package keeps getting smaller.

  11. Bob C on August 1st, 2014 5:51 am

    My experience is that whenever government is “Considering” something it is pretty much a “Done Deal”.

    Our fresh water / waste water infrastructure sure does need a re-do as is many decades old and failing in some areas just because it is simply worn out.

    Wonder why we have So Many different groups in this county when it would be hopefully more efficient to combine services under a single umbrella.?

  12. Don on August 1st, 2014 5:26 am

    Why is it the utilities allway’s want a 3-5% increase yet those of us on social security rarely receive higher than a 1.5% cost of living adjustment(if anything at all !)