Earle water revenue on the rise

Earle water revenue on the rise

City putting funds toward paying off debt

news@theeveningtimes.com

The number of water accounts are up in Earle and the water department is doing everything it can to ensure money is being used to pay off debt.

Water Manager Danny Clark said the water department didn’t pay as much money this month as he would have liked to on the debt due to some high dollar maintenance bills he had to pay, but is still making progress. “We’re working on it,” Clark said. “Its not been as good a month as it was last month.”

Clark said water accounts were up, however, in November to 707.

“I’ve been hustling all I can,” Clark said. “It seems like I found some accounts that should have been on that weren’t. I’m penciling in everything I can to get this up.”

The city recently raised water rates from $11.75 to $19.75 a month in order to pay off debt owed to the city and have money to maintain the water system into the future.

The water department is paying off $80,722 that it owes to the city to pay off loans for a water tower and water line to the school, and also for the yard waste, mosquito control, and garbage funds.

The decline has been due to a drop in the number of water accounts. Since 2008, the customer base has shrunk from 820 to about 626 and revenue had declined from $868,000 to $618,000.

Councilman Kenneth Cross said he was pleased with the progress.

“Seven hundred and seven accounts, that’s really good,” Cross said.

Clark said he is still confident the water department will be able to get caught up in about a year.

“We’re working on it,”

Clark said. “I’m optimistic we will get it done pretty quick.” “I am too,” Cross added.

By Mark Randall