By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Sept. 11, 2002
Mayor John Robert Smith asked the Meridian City Council Tuesday to raise water and sewer rates nearly 30 percent over the next three years.
Smith proposed a 10 percent rate increase starting next month. He also proposed a 9 percent increase in October 2003 and another 8 percent increase in October 2004.
Councilmen are expected to vote on the proposal at Tuesday's regular meeting the same day they are expected to approve the city's budget for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.
Smith proposed the rate increase at a public hearing on the city budget. He said the city hasn't raised rates since 1997 and that the increase will stabilize water and sewer funds.
Smith said the city has borrowed $10 million in recent years to build new water tanks, new treatment plants and new water and sewer lines.
Projects have included $2.5 million for a new North Meridian water tank, $5.2 million in water and sewer lines for recently annexed areas and $2.8 million to extend sewer lines to Naval Air Station Meridian.
Ward 5 Councilman Bobby Smith said he might not be able to vote for the rate increase next week.