The Prescott City Council put off a decision to raise water rates for customers of city and rural water systems.
That action came during a meeting Monday, June 15. The subject had arisen during the May meeting when council members discussed the need to make each of the city's utilities self-sufficient. As the situation stands, the water department is typically operating "in the red," according to Prescott City Manager Billy House. The deficit is made up by profit from the electric company.
The discussion in May had been to lower the city's electric rate and to raise the water rates. But during the June 15 meeting, House told council members that the city's electric company is no longer in a position to fund the water department. House recommended that the rates of the basic water service be increased by $2.50, but said the electric rates cannot be lowered.
According to House, electric consumption is down in the city by 37 percent. That announcement brought an outcry by audience member Ron Murphy who said that the citizens of the city have had no choice but to cut back consumption.
House said the loss of Potlatch as a customer of the city electric company and that Firestone's consumption of electricity is down.
Council members declined to take action on the recommendation to raise water rates.
See additional details in the June 24 edition of the Picayune.
Have a comment? Email wendylledbetter@yahoo.com or send a letter to P.O. Box 60, Prescott, AR 71857
