Dear Editor,

Waitsburg Utility Rate Payers:

On April 16th, the City Council voted to raise water utility rates by $6 per month to begin to set aside funds to help replace the waterline on the east side of Main Street down 1st Street back to 2nd Street. When the new waterline was installed on Main Street to fix the leaking one in front of the grocery store, the crew encountered water at the new connection point; meaning the existing line running north is still leaking somewhere else.

Due to the age and material type of the existing waterline, it was decided that rather than trying to make a best-guess of where the leak was and have to cut sections of the road in order to do so, it would be more prudent to upgrade and replace the entire line; basically, we felt it was irresponsible to spend a significant amount of money to temporarily fix a problem when we could spend a few more dollars and make a lasting repair.

The basic outline is to replace the waterline on the east side of Main St. down to 1st St. and back to 2nd St., and from the connection point on the west side to install a new line to run down the edge of 1st St., connecting the waterline at Bruce St. with the new line, installing two new fire hydrants before continuing on down to Jay St. where it will turn south, connecting back up to the mainline on 2nd St.

This will not only improve water pressure, but will also be vital for fire suppression. Additionally, completion of this project in later 2014/early 2015 would correct two of the City's 19 prioritized waterline deficiency improvements. This will mark the fourth mainline deficiency to be corrected by the City, representing progress and a commitment to ensuring that our infrastructure is kept in good working order.

I understand that this increase may seem large, but due to the years of the City Council trying to absorb the burden of maintaining our infrastructure by taking very small or no increases at all, the City has not had the ability to set aside funds to cover projects like this, causing us to have to take one large increase all at once instead. I understand that the economy is still affecting us all, and I know that any billing increases are a hardship, but the City has held off as long as possible and simply can't avoid it any longer.

Please feel free to call me or come into City Hall during normal business hours to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you,

Randy Hinchliffe

City Administrator

City of Waitsburg