Franklin Co. Commission Approves Water Rate Hike

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Water rates for Franklin County residents will go up in September.

Franklin County Commissioners approved the rate increase during their meeting on Monday.

Franklin County Engineer John Phillips presented the rate increase to the commission.

“The Fiscal 2017 budget included increases in service revenue, one of which was the water system,” Phillips told the Board. “The County Manager has presented a proposal for increases that would go into effect in September 2016. We would ask that you would improve the water rate schedule and connection fees as presented.”

Phillips noted the last time water rates were raised was in 2007.

With the increase, the basic water rate in Franklin County will go from $18.00 monthly to $21.00 monthly.

Franklin County Commissioner Jeff Jacques said there are a couple of reasons as to why the rate increase was needed.

“With our contract with the City of Toccoa, which is our primary water supplier, there is an inflationary index that is built in there in which our rates increase on an annual basis,” Jacques said. “So you’re basically implementing this to offset the increase of what we’re paying for water supply.

After hearing from Jacques and having more discussion, the Franklin County Commission voted unanimously to increase the water rates beginning September 1.