100108 neshorelines 2 drew.dixon@shorelines.com The City Commission will consider an ordinance this month that would more than double residents' water rates, even for minimal users.--> Last modified 10/1/2008 - 7:00 am
Originally created 100108
Improvements to the city's plant are to blame, with construction coming in 2010.
By DREW DIXON, Shorelines
ATLANTIC BEACH - The City Commission will consider an ordinance this month that would more than double residents' water rates, even for minimal users.
City officials insist the rate increase will bring Atlantic Beach water service charges in line with other area water services. But they also said they have no choice because the St. Johns River Water Management District is mandating all water treatment plants to remove nitrogen before wastewater is dumped into the river.
City Manager Jim Hanson said he expects to start designing the plant upgrades within a few months and that construction could begin in 2010.
"We have rates that were demanded by the Water Management District. They're talking about making it legislative, statewide," said Atlantic Beach Mayor John Meserve.
Meserve attended the Water Congress in Orlando Thursday and Friday, which pulled government, utility and cultural officials from throughout the state to discuss the future of water service in Florida. Among many topics discussed, Meserve said, was water service rates and the nitrogen removal.
Atlantic Beach's water rates are 25 cents for each 1,000 gallons for customers who use less than 3,000 gallons a month.
The ordinance, which will go to a first public reading Monday, Oct. 13, and a public hearing Monday, Oct. 27, calls for a sharp increase.
Customers would pay 60 cents per 1,000 gallons for the first 3,000 gallons a month, Hanson said. The rate goes up to $2.22 per 1,000 gallons after that.
The rates keep increasing to a maximum of $5.91 per 1,000 gallons over 18,000 gallons a month.
"For the big customer using a lot of irrigation water, they're going to be paying 10 times as much for that irrigation as someone who might be living by themselves who has no watering at all," Hanson said.
Meserve said the city was spending more on water service than they were taking in from water rates, and that the increase is necessary.
"Most of the rates for most of the people, we were losing money for every gallon we sold them," said Meserve. "This budget gives us not enough, but some extra revenue to pay for operational costs and, in the long run, improvements to the system. It's certainly justified."
Hanson acknowledged he's received some complaints about the proposed water rate increase.
"There is a lot of confusion as to what these rates are," Hanson said. "The lower-use customers think they're paying as much as heavy users. The bottom line is going to remain the same; the big users are going to be paying much more than the small users."
Ultimately, Hanson said, Atlantic Beach water customers can't find a better deal compared to other water rates in North Florida.
"We compared our rates with JEA and other cities and we're tied with JEA for the lowest rates in the area," said Hanson.
Drew Dixon can also be reached at (904) 249-4947, ext. 6313.
