Spencer Aldermen Approve Flat Water Rate Increase, Residents Speak Out

The Spencer Board of Aldermen voted 4-1 Thursday to raise its flat water rates as a part of a two year plan to cover the system’s depreciation costs.

As a part of the final adoption, the board held a public hearing where seven residents shared their thoughts. Resident Barry Austin said as a business owner, the affordability concerns him.

“That’s just me,” Austin said. “That’s not considering the individual rates of people that live here and the employees that I have that I know can’t afford that. When people talk about the city of Spencer and cleaning up places. You’re going to have a lot of empty ones, because they are not going to stay.”

Residential flat rates will increase by $3.75 this February. Resident Paul Audritsh said he believes residents should not have to pay more when the city provides low-quality water.

“We have a filter system that we put in that cost us thousands of dollars, because our water is coming out brown,” Audritsh said. “This is ridiculous. Why do I have to pay for all of this when I am not getting decent water or pressure. Is there a reason it is going up?”

Mayor Alisa Farmer said past administrations failing to raise rates despite recommendations to do so led to this issue. Farmer said if the city did not increase the flat rate by March, the State Comptroller’s Office would raise the price all at once as opposed to a phased approach.

The city plans to increase water rates three more times until 2024. Resident Leo Sochocki was one of the few people that supported the Board’s action.

“What you are doing right now as far as bringing all of us together and finally addressing it openly with all of the people is as good as we can ask for right this minute,” Sochocki said. “Thanks mayor. I think this is moving along better than what it has, and it is good to see it.”

The final flat rate for residents will come to $24 within the city and $28 for county residents. It is a part of a long term plan to better the water of Spencer by using the Caney Fork River as its new source.