Itta Bena residents' monthly utility bills could increase if aldermen accept a consultant's proposal.
The city needs the increase to help offset loan payments that saw construction of sewerage lines to the industrial park and some Itta Bena neighborhoods.
The city is already four months delinquent on its first interest payment of $62,000.
The possible price hike, which would raise the average bill of $33 to $41, has some citizens grumbling.
Tiffany Haymore, a cashier at Church's Chicken, said Itta Bena's water is dirty, and it smells bad. "Why pay more for polluted water?"
Samuel Dennis cleans and washes cars at Tyrone's Auto Shop in Itta Bena. If rates on water go up, he would have to raise rates for a car wash too. "It'll mess everything up."
Tom Abernathy, a circuit rider with the Mississippi Rural Water Association, arrived at City Hall late last week to assess Itta Bena's water rates.
Abernathy's non-profit organization examines a city's water and sewer rates to determine if a rate increase is necessary.
It also looks at other solutions, such as better meter readings and overlooked income sources.
Itta Bena currently charges an initial $17 for the first 1,000 gallons of water for homes inside city limits. After that, the city charges 60 cents per every 1,000 gallons.
Abernathy said most cities don't charge any less than $2 per 1,000 gallons after the initial.
He has proposed the city increase its rate to $2.15 per 1,000 gallons. "This is an extremely good rate."
With a base of around 1,000 customers, this would bring close to $8,000 a month in revenue to the city, Abernathy estimated.
For the city to fulfill its loan obligations it needs around $7,000 monthly.
The model is based on current usage, which runs about 65 gallons of water per person per day. It also estimates an average of four people per Itta Bena residence.
Higher rates usually mean water usage drops. So the extra $1,000 provides some squeeze room in case the numbers fluctuate, Abernathy explained.
Other than the low rates, Itta Bena is doing everything right. "There is no doubt the city must raise its rates. The secret is how much," Abernathy said.
Curtis Stocks Jr., a 50-year resident of the city, said the sewer project was worth the rate increase.
The project provided a sewer pump near his house to improve pressure. Having a toilet flush properly has been great, he said.
