KINGWOOD – Following a lengthy discussion, Kingwood City Council passed the second reading of its proposed water rate increase.
Kingwood Water Board is requesting about a 10.5% water rate increase. If approved on final reading, the increase will add about $2.16 to minimum monthly bills.
The current minimum water rates per month for in-town customers are 5/8-inch meter or less, $21.66; 3/4-inch meter, $32.49; 1-inch meter, $54.15; 1 1/2 inch meter, $120; and 2-inch meter, $192. PSD 2 customer current minimum monthly rates are 5/8-inch meter or less, $24 per month; 3/4 inch-meter, $36; one-inch meter, $60; 1 1/2 inch meter, $120; and 2-inch meter, $192.
Members of the public along with two council members opposed the increase.
“I oppose this one,” Curtis Styles, owner of C&W Woodworking, said. “There is a whole lot of unemployed and fixed-income people. Some who work don’t get big paychecks. I think you are putting a strain on these people. I am looking at retiring in three years. If these rates keep going up, I’m going to move. This also makes it hard to sell your house.”
Councilman Dick Shaffer agreed. He said he worked with the Heat Fund, a fund to help provide assistance to low-income families.
“We’ve got people living on $700 to $800 a month,” he said. “What do we do when they can’t afford to pay? We’re talking about people, not numbers — people.”
Bruce Wiley, owner of the Price Street Barber Shop, said he believes council is putting a lot of pressure on people because they are also asking for a rate increase on garbage.
“This sounds like the sewer project that was shoved down the throats of the people,” he said. “I understand the increase, but I’m not sure people can do this now.”
Councilman Bill Robertson said the increase was necessary because the board needs to make improvements on the lines. He said if the repairs are not made now, they will create a bigger problem in the future.
Mayor Jean Guillot noted the cost of goods (material to do repairs) are not going down and health benefits (for employees) are going up.
“I’m not opposed to increment increases,” Councilman Josh Fields said, “but the time is not equitable.”
Voting for the increase were Councilwoman Karen Kurilko, Councilwoman Tina Turner, Councilman Bill Robertson and Councilman Mike Lipscomb.
Voting against the increase were Councilman Josh Fields and Councilman Dick Shaffer.
In other water-related business, Marion Weaver, who lives on Dogtown Road, complained about his water quality.
“I’ve been buying bottled water for the past four years. The water’s not fit to drink,” he said. “I had the same problem when the water was coming from Arthurdale.”
He questioned why he had to pay $24 a month for the water service.
“All I use it (water) for is to bathe and wash clothes,” he said.
Weaver said he had to replace a hot water tank and his toilet bowl is orange.
Weaver was told $24 is a minimum bill and a sample of his water will be taken and analyzed.
TWEET@DominionPostWV
