Jefferson County sewer rate increases possible

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL (WBRC) -

Jefferson County has not had a sewer rate increase in years. But now that the county is in bankruptcy court in part due to the sewer debt, the county has to come up with more cash to pay that debt.

Jefferson County commissioners have hired a consulting team to gather information about running a sewer system and complying with the clean water act.

Commissioners want to see that report first, but in the past commissioners admitted some sort of increase will be warranted. The commissioners hoped to keep that increase around or below five percent.

There has also been discussion of implementing a non-user fee on households that have septic tanks to share in some of burden of paying off the sewer debt and providing clean water in county.

"I haven't see the recommendations yet, but Judge Bennett was clear that the commission was to consider a revenue increase," commissioner David Carrington said.

The public will be able to give their opinion on any possible recommendation at a November 6 public hearing. The commission could possibly vote on the recommendation after that meeting.

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Jefferson County sewer rate increases possible