WATER AND SEWER RATE INCREASE PROPOSED IN NEW BUDGET

     There is a proposed increase in water and sewer rates in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year according to Hendersonville City Manager Bo Ferguson.  He told WHKP News that the rate increase for both services would be five percent.  He said there would also be an increase in the base rate, which is what people pay no matter how much they use the services.  He said the increase in the base water rate would be 5 percent, and the new sewer rate would be closer to 12 percent.

     Ferguson said that the revenue from these increases would go towards projects to maintain and improve the water system, and this will include the project to tap into the French Broad River.

     Ferguson said that there will be no increases in charges for water taps, or hooking up to the sewer.  He said there will be a new premium for residents who use more than 40,000 gallons of water.  Ferguson said that this premium would not apply to commercial users.