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Century’s Sewer System Is Failing; Will Need Rate Increase, State Intervention
March 5, 2017
Century’s aging water and wastewater system is dire condition and town officials say there’s no way to fix it without rate increases and financial intervention from the state.
Alicia Jernigan, Century’s certified wastewater operator, said the town’s wastewater “is failing”, comprised of aging equipment that has not been properly maintained, is wearing out, or is now functionally obsolete. And the repairs, she said, are going to cost more than the town could ever afford.
“There’s no way we can raise rates enough, cut enough employees cut anything out of our budget to pay for what we need,” Jernigan recently told the Century Town Council during a workshop meeting.
Century could be eligible for funding in the form or low interest loans or outright grants from the state, but even that will require a rate increase. Mayor Henry Hawkins said Century’s water and sewage rates are among the lowest in the area.
“The state is not going to give us money to fix the system if we can’t show that we can afford to maintain it,” he said.
“We are going to have to get to money from the (state) government. But the government is not going to give us money to buy new stuff that we can’t afford to take care of. That means we have to bring our rates into line with all of the other utilities in the area so that they know now we have enough money to maintain this stuff that they just gave to us,” Jernigan said.
At $13 for 6,000 gallons, Bob Mearns of the Florida Rural Water Association said Century has the lowest water rates he has seen. The town has not raised water rates since August 2012. At no cost to the town, the Florida Rural Water Association is conducting a rate study to determine just how much rates should increase.
The Town of Century has scheduled a special meeting to discuss water, wastewater and natural gas rates on Monday, March 20 at 6 p.m.
Pictured: Century’s water, wastewater and natural gas franchise also serves the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
14 Responses to “Century’s Sewer System Is Failing; Will Need Rate Increase, State Intervention”
This is one of the reasons there should be a consolidated government in Escambia County, following the example of Duval/Jacksonville.
It cuts through the “US and THEM” stigma of living in one part of the county and enjoying services while living in another part and being deprived of the benefits others enjoy.
The very word…CONSOLIDATION of services cause so many to have skips of the heart or fainting spells. Yet, when you think about the needs of an area and the benefits of having ONE law enforcement body, ONE Garbage collection service, ONE safe water supply…of course Gulf Power is the legal monopoly for the majority of the county…the problems recognized and the needs being met for the citizens and taxpayers MAY be solved with a county-wide governmental entity.
No district city or county commissioners! Elect seven (7) to represent the whole of the county…every commissioner is responsible to ALL, not just his/her little domain/district! ONE Chief law enforcement officer, ONE fire chief…and so on.
It’s hard to lay blame on others when the sole responsibility falls on ONE person.
Just some thoughts about where we live and what has to be dealt with on a day-by-day basis.
If you have any suggestions for improvement of the status quo, offer them!
Many many times I have drove down Tedder road and seen raw sewage running down the road and into a creek at the bottom of the hill I can’t believe something has not already been done
annexation lol
Amen Rodney…I worked in government for over 20 years.. Never now or ever will government live within their means
Why is it so difficult for the government to live within their means as the citizens do? I have a budget that allows me to cover unforseen expenses and maintenance of my personal belongings. If I make a purchase or have an unexpected cost my employer is not going to increase my salary because I was not prepared to cover the expense. This is not just Century, our government has a champagne taste and a beer budget.
Follow the Restore and Triumph Gulf Coast Funds. The fact that Century is incorporated is allowing them to use that status. These funds can be used for infrastructure. A project was submitted what happened with that?
Don’t let other county leaders use it for just for sidewalks on the beach.
New faces in local government here is your chance. Compete.
Look into annexation to broaden your tax base.
Don’t fall into the trap that economic opportunities means schools. There are already public schools funded by county ad valorem taxes and a college in the town.
And remember, clueless people are allowed to comment on here also.
Infrastructure needs are mounting all over our great nation – the can has been kicked down the road about is far as it can go – our interstates are horrendous in many spots and need not only repaving but widening and additional lanes in many of our metro areas like Pensacola and Mobile. The I-10 Bayway over Mobile Bay which connects the eastern shore with Mobile has needed to be replaced for nearly 25 years …. it takes MONEY to pay for these projects – and Walmart dollars are just simply NOT enough – we need good paying jobs and society is going to have to suck it up and approve a penny sales tax or something to make these projects go … and as my late father always preached “you have to spend money to make money”
Amen Chris, Whataburger and the somewhate high quality outdoor furniture that the carpenter at Ace Hardware custom makes are about the only things that would attract a soul to stop in this blighted town …. their highest revenue stream is probably the nuisance / harassing traffic stops that occur frequently in the area around the Whataburger ….
So the customers should suffer rate increases for equipment that was “not properly maintained?” Makes sense to me.
get ready folks, here it comes.
Part of a “new century” means being up to date with infrastructure, business models, and fee structure. You cannot attract business or residents with the same old “good old boy” mentality that got Century into this mess.
Even as small as Freemanville..The rates are $17 for 2000 galloon or less
You can’t live in 2017 as if it was 1999.
Let the blame games begin!! I wonder how many people will blame our new major for this issue of neglect! Which has clearly been happening for years!!! I’ll wait!!
Century is poor, deteriorated, and almost dead. I would recommend city officials just give it up and let Escambia County take over, but im sure the county wants no part in that. Nothing in Century says stop here spend some money except for maybe the Whataburger. And that’s only if they haven’t eaten in Montgomery or some other dying town. Century badly needs a large industrial employer to set up shop. So sad for those just hanging on.