Century Considers 59% Water And Sewer Rate Increase, 36% Garbage Rate Hike

March 21, 2017

The Century Town Council is considering a rate increase for water and sewer customers that would increase the average customer’s bill by 59 percent. And Mayor Henry Hawkins is also proposing a 36 percent increase in residential garbage fees. Additionally, a rate study for the town’s gas department is expected to be forthcoming.

The total rate increases for water, wastewater and garbage, if approved, will cost the average family of four about $300 per year.

GARBAGE

Century’s 545 garbage customers currently pay $16.98  per month. In order to stop financial losses in the garbage department, Hawkins is proposing a 36 percent increase of $6.21 per month, for a total bill of $23.19. The increase will allow the town to continue to collect bulk items such as furniture and appliances and vegetative waste.

WATER AND WASTEWATER

The water and wastewater department had a net income loss of $142,022, according to a Florida Rural Water Association rate study presented to the council Monday night.

The average family of four customer using 5,000 gallons of water per month currently pays $18.65 for water and $13.00 for wastewater, for a total bill of $31.65. The rate study recommends three-year incremental rate increases totaling a 59 percent ($18.59) increase  for the average user….$21.27 for 5,000 gallons of water and $27.58 for wastewater.

The study recommended the following water rate increase:

It was recommended that the full water rate increase be spread over a three year period, and incremental tiers be established:

For wastewater, the study found:

It was recommended that the full wastewater rate increase be spread over a three year period, and incremental tiers be established:

For an average family of four, the rate increases would be as folows:

The town is seeking a total legislative appropriation of $60,000 for preliminary engineering reports for the potable water and wastewater systems. These reports will identify the deficiencies in each system, allowing the town to seek funding and make the necessary improvements.

In order to apply for future grants or loans, the water and wastewater systems must be financially viable by implementing the rate increases, according to town officials.

Pictured: The Century Town Council Monday night. Pictured: Century’s water, wastewater and natural gas franchise also serves the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

18 Responses to “Century Considers 59% Water And Sewer Rate Increase, 36% Garbage Rate Hike”

  1. just my prospective on March 22nd, 2017 12:27 am

    i live in Mississippi (originally from century) i pay 52.5 for water and sewer and thats the base for up to 2000 gals and my water looks like weak tea. we did have a water filter until last year and it still doesn’t make our water nearly as clean as century. we also had a rate increase in October from 31.5 to the current 52.5 in one month. honestly an increase of less than $20 over 3 years is not that bad.

  2. Edward on March 22nd, 2017 12:07 am

    Sounds like the new Mayor paid attention in economics class.
    He is smart enough to realize if you continue to run Municipal services at a loss with no money in the bank to maintain infrastructure, you end up with a broken down and dirty town like… well Century.

  3. mike on March 21st, 2017 11:44 pm

    Cottage Hill Water Works: $25 for the first 2000 gallons, so don’t feel bad Centurions.

  4. Retired on March 21st, 2017 9:20 pm

    @chris http://www.indeed.com/cmp/Millercoors/salaries

    Albany GA did it. Even building it was a boom. It is an American made product. Demand is high, Highway 29 is an SIS highway. It can happen and yes, they need water.

  5. chris on March 21st, 2017 6:26 pm

    @ Retired: Yes because nothing can fix Century’s problems like alcohol can!

  6. nod on March 21st, 2017 2:57 pm

    Maybe there are not enough people in Century to pay for all the staff workers of the city. Too many people wanting too much from those who do not make enough money to pay it.

  7. Notice things on March 21st, 2017 2:27 pm

    Revamp the Consumer Confidence Report also while you are at it.

  8. Retired on March 21st, 2017 2:03 pm

    Get a BREWERY in Century buying clean Century water. Keep it Afloat!! I know this is the Bible Belt but many like them some beer and spirits.
    Jesus turned water into wine, Do the same!! God’s gift to mankind!
    Clean local industry.
    Water is Century’s resource. They will be happy to pay these rates.

  9. Suggestions on March 21st, 2017 1:43 pm

    Century
    1)Please Look into including Lifeline for Senior Citizens rates for fixed income and disabled SSI head of household and how to apply. (Water Garbage and Sewer)
    (NWF Council on Aging I think)

    2)Set up a fund for assistance where folks can elect to contribute a dollar a month.

    3)Provide a leak adjustment clause.

  10. joe on March 21st, 2017 1:24 pm

    Man I’m glad I don’t live in century anymore of course I’m glad I don’t live in Florida period any more I bet the century residents are really liking there new mayor now

  11. Safebea on March 21st, 2017 8:48 am

    @just listening, your complaint should not be with the new administration, it should be asking questions of the previous administration as to why these increases weren’t done incrementally and the facilities maintained.

  12. Nana of 16 on March 21st, 2017 8:40 am

    PEOPLE, I read this everyday. I don’t live in Century or in Florida at all but I lived there for many years and I love to keep up with what is going on.
    THAT BEING SAID, do you want your town employees to be paid a fair wage or not. Do you want the services your town provides for you or not?? To get you must give in any situation.
    We all know money doesn’t grow on trees, so how do you propose it is available to do the things needed.
    Take care of your own. If you want more you have to give more. I have worked in Municipal Government in Alabama for many years, I understand providing citizens with the necessary things on a few tax dollars. Shopping local provides more tax dollars for the Town to function with.
    Stop taking and start giving and your community will be a better place.
    BE POSITIVE!

  13. bewildered on March 21st, 2017 8:27 am

    In Lillian I am paying $54.50 per month in sewer fees. No additional fee for excessive water use (my water bill is not even half the amount of the sewer! ) but each residence is required to install a grinder pump and is responsible for its upkeep and/or replacement.

  14. SW on March 21st, 2017 8:22 am

    Why is Century still a town?

  15. just listening on March 21st, 2017 7:45 am

    It’s very SWEET that the Century town officials have spread a more than 50% increase in Water, Sewer and Garbage collection over a three year period for a community that is FULL of old folk on a fixed income that received a .003% increase in their retirements checks. Just sweet, Just sweet! Thanks Mayor Hawkins you are really looking out for THE PEOPLE. Just Sweet!

  16. Sam on March 21st, 2017 7:19 am

    Not interested in rates in other parts of the county. I live in century, i vote in century. I will remember. As a resident can i put down a well, and go back on a septic tank?

  17. chris on March 21st, 2017 6:21 am

    And…….here comes the complaining about an increase to some unrealistically low rates.

  18. Jason on March 21st, 2017 5:29 am

    The proposed sanitation rate of $23.19 is comparable to what is being charged by ECUA ($21.31) and the City of Pensacola ($23.70).

    The proposed water rate of $11.56 for the first 2000 gallons of water is less than what is charged by ECUA ($13.91). Additionally, the $2.53 fee per 1000 gallons of additional water consumption is considerably cheaper than what ECUA charges which is $7.19 per each additional 1000 gallons of water.

    The proposed sewer rates of $14.31 is slightly higher than what is currently charged by ECUA ($12.85 for up to 6,000 gallons of water). However, ECUA also has a monthly sewer improvement fee based on water usage, which starts at $2 for the first 3000 gallons of water and increases and increases $1.50 per 1000 gallons of water used.

    While the new rates may seem costly to Century residents, the fees are actually cheaper than what the rest of Escambia County residents are paying.

    You can verify and compare the ECUA rates at this link:
    http://www.ecua.fl.gov/system/files/Cust%20Serv%20FY16/Residential%20Mainland-2016%20Rates.pdf

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News