COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) - A Georgia city is delaying an increase in water rates by three months, saying residents are struggling financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ledger-Enquirer reports that the five-member board of the Columbus Water Works, which includes Mayor Skip Henderson, unanimously voted Monday to delay a 3.75% rate hike from January to April. The vote came after a majority of Columbus council members requested a postponement. The council appoints the four other members of the water works board.
Henderson said seven or eight of the council’s 10 members contacted him to request a delay. Some wanted to push it off for six months.
“It had everything to do with the fact that there are, in their districts, a lot of people still struggling,” Henderson said.
When the rate increase does take effect, it would cost a residential water customer an extra $1.29 a month if they use 3,000 gallons or $2.21 a month is they use 6,000 gallons. The typical residential customer uses 3,000 gallons a month, for a total bill of $34.22.
The water works plans to increase its discount for low-income customers from $6.50 a month to $7.50 a month.
The system says it needs more money to upgrade infrastructure.
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