The city of Russellville is going to drown with the recent water rate increase (44 cents per 1,000 gallons) to be imposed March 1 by the Logan Todd Regional Water Commission (LTRWC) says mayor Gene Zick.

“There is no way the citizens of Russellville should have to pay this increase. I cannot believe that LTRWC would pass an increase during a time when the economy is so bad. We just now have seen some stability in our finances and this is going to hurt us,” said Zick.

Even though the decision was made almost three weeks ago by the LTWRC board, very few citizens know about the increase. According to LTRWC’s Kyle Kenner the increase was suggested by the bond holders.

The board is made up of a representative from the 12 members of the association (Adairville, Auburn, Lewisburg, Russellville, East Logan, South Logan, North Logan, Trenton, Elkton, Todd County, Oak Grove and Guthrie). These are the cities and districts who purchase water from LTRWC.

Russellville’s representative is city councilman Lanny McPherson, who was absent from the meeting when the vote to increase was taken.

McPherson said he was unaware the vote for the rate increase would taken at the meeting he missed. When it was discussed a month earlier, he told the board he wished they would find another option.

“It’s going to cost the city approximately $12,000 per month with the increase,” McPherson said. “Unless we can find another option, I don’t see where it cannot be passed on to the customers.”

The cities of Auburn, Adairville and Lewisburg discussed the increase at their meetings held Monday. Auburn decided not to pass on the increase to its customers since it already had a built in increase of three percent which will take effect January 2010; however Adairville voted to increase its price 44 cents per 1,000 gallons. Lewisburg made no decision but it was said the increase would probably have to be passed on because the city did not pass on the last increase from LTRWC in 2006.

The issue has not appeared on Russellville’s agenda yet.

“There is no justification for this increase,” said Zick. “If LTRWC thinks the bond holders will come after them they are crazy. We can kiss any progress we’ve made goodbye. We get a little ahead and now we are going to be shot,” said Zick.

Zick doesn’t know at this point if his council will pass on the increase or not.

“They (LTRWC) have done nothing new for its customers,” said Zick adding, “I think they are just trying to satisfy their bond holders. Well what about satisfying its customers?”

Zick said he thinks that LTRWC needs to be audited and says he has suggested that before but has been turned down by the association.

According to LTRWC they are not selling as much water as they once were therefore are not generating the finances needed to pay their bond holders.

LTRWC began selling water to customers in 2003 the association has publicized that adding additional customers would be a way of lowering the selling costs to its 12 customers; however eight years later the association has yet to accomplish adding any additional members.

• Russellville’s current rate for water is $13.29 for the first 1,000 gallons

• Auburn’s current rate for water is $10.98 for the first 1,200 gallons

• Lewisburg’s current rate for water is $16.57 for the first 1,000 gallons in town and $22.12 out of town

• Adairville’s current rate for water is $25 for the first 2,000 gallons