Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Bessemer water rates hike OK'd

Bessemer's City Council tonight voted to increase water rates by $5 a month beginning on Jan. 1.

Only Councilwoman Louise Alexander voted against the increase, which was necessitated by higher expenses and a lowering of Bessemer Utilities' credit rating.

The fear was that New York bankers would take over the water service and hike rates significantly higher than what was approved.

Alexander said she doubted that expenses were as high as the department claimed.

Future rates will be determined by a formula based on the Consumer Price Index.

—Tribune staff report

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