News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Monterey’s Water and Sewer Committee will recommend and present a water rate increase to the Board of Mayor and Alderman at Monday night’s meeting.
Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Duane Jarrett said the five percent water rate increase compensates for the increased cost of living. The last price adjustment for water in Monterey happened in 2017.
“Every year it gets about one or one and a half percent more expensive to make water,” Jarrett said. “If you run a business, we can’t go into the the red.”
The rate increase will affect residents both inside and outside the city limits, as well as residents of Phifer Mountain.
Residents inside city limits would pay for water and sewer at $2.26 per month. Residents outside city limits would pay for water only at $1.75 per month, and Phifer Mountain residents would pay for water only at $1.89 per month.
Jarrett said the increased rate helps pay for yearly price increases in chemicals, electricity and employee insurance.
If a water company losses money three years in a row, a Tennessee comptroller will adjust the water rates for the company. In order to avoid this, Jarrett said they adjust the prices on their own.
Alderwoman Starlett Wessels will present the data for the price of making water to the board.
