City’s Increase In Water Rates May Prompt County To Charge For Prisoners

The Ste. Genevieve County commissioners last Thursday expressed displeasure at an annual 3 percent increase in the county’s water bill from the city of Ste. Genevieve.

During the County Commission meeting, Presiding Commissioner Garry Nelson calculated the impact on the county. He said the $110,352 water costs to date projected to $137,937 by the end of the year. A 3 percent increase, therefore, would be an increase of $4,138.

The rates, proposed by Alliance Water Resources, would see a 2 percent annual increase in water rates and sewer rates for residences and a 3 percent water increase for businesses. The Board of Aldermen held a public hearing on the proposed rate increases October 24.

Nelson suggested that the county might have to start charging the city a per diem fee for housing city prisoners in the county detention center to help make up for the increasingly high figures.

“We house their prisoners for them for nothing,” Nelson said. “We’ll have to find a way to recoup that money.”

See complete coverage of the County Commission in the November 13 edition of the Herald.