Rome City Commissioners voted on Monday to raise water and sewer rates by 5 and a half percent in 2025 and 2026.
The lone commissioner who voted “no” was Commissioner Mark Cochran. Voting “yes” was Craig McDaniel, Randy Quick, Bill Collins, Harry Brock, Jamei Doss and Wayne Robinson.
Cochran is quoted to say “The calculation used assumed a 60 percent capital improvement project completion, which historically we haven’t met… Secondly, although it’s difficult to say, our revenues this year look as though they may exceed what we are asking for in complete revenues next year, which would negate a rate increase entirely. Thirdly, we have $30 million in the bank for a rainy day fund, a general fund balance, and we don’t particularly have any debt to speak of.”
Rates have been lowered sine 2018 after the city settled a lawsuit over PFAS contamination in the Oostanaula River. The funds are going to help build a new reverse osmosis water treatment plant.
However, commissioners cited increased cost as the reason for the need of a price hike.
