Monroe citizens are once again facing higher water bills, not due to increased costs of producing clean water, but as a result of a controversial 2018 city council decision that has turned water and sewerage charges into a profit-generating scheme for the city’s general fund.
The root of the problem lies in a seemingly minor change in the formula used to calculate water rate increases.
In 2018, the Monroe City Council shifted from using the “Producer” Price Index, which is based on the actual cost of producing water (including chemicals, materials, and labor), to the “Consumer” Price Index, which is tied to the general cost of living in the entire country. This means that our water and sewer rates are now linked to the prices of everyday goods like milk, bread, and eggs, rather than the true cost of providing clean water to our homes.
Will Never come down
To make matters worse, the “Consumer” Price Index is notorious for its continuous upward trend, meaning that once our water rates increase, they will never come down, even if consumer prices do. This “forever” increase, as it has been dubbed, places an unnecessary and ongoing burden on Monroe’s citizens.
The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that sewerage rates, in the absence of sewerage meters, are tied directly to water rates. As water rates climb, so do sewerage charges, compounding the financial strain on our community.
Perhaps most concerning is the city council’s decision to make these increases automatic and perpetual without the opportunity for review or approval. This “forever” tax not only ties the hands of future city councils but also absolves current members from taking responsibility for the escalating costs and the resulting complaints from constituents.
It is particularly disappointing to note that both Mayor Friday Ellis and City Councilwoman Kema Dawson, who promised to address this issue during their 2020 election campaigns, have failed to take action to reverse the “forever” component of these water bill hikes.
Forever increases should be revisited
It is time for the 2018 ordinance to be revisited and amended. The city council should be informed of the actual costs associated with operating the water system, and any necessary increases should be decided upon based on real need, not an arbitrary calendar date. While it is understandable that costs are rising across the board, automatically increasing rates without considering the actual expenses is an irresponsible and unsustainable approach.
The citizens of Monroe deserve transparency, accountability, and fairness when it comes to their water and sewerage charges. It is the duty of our elected officials to prioritize the well-being of their constituents over the city’s desire for extra revenue. We call upon the Monroe City Council to take immediate action to rectify this unjust “forever” water rate hike and restore the trust of the people they serve.
