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Asheville’s Water Rate Spike Hits Black Mountain Hard

Reservoir and water infrastructure in Black Mountain.

News Summary

Residents of Black Mountain are facing a significant increase in water costs as Asheville raises its wholesale water prices by 33%. This hike will impact the town’s budget, adding approximately $275,000 in expenses. Town officials are considering measures such as drilling more wells to reduce dependence on Asheville’s supply. However, the financial strain is evident as the council discusses potential increases in other fees, like solid waste reduction, amid a declining general fund revenue. Balancing the budget is critical for the town’s future.

Asheville’s Water Rate Spike Splashes Down on Black Mountain’s Budget

Hey there, Black Mountain residents! Buckle up, because there’s a storm brewing over your water bills. Asheville, the city next door, has decided to increase its wholesale water prices for the second year in a row, and this time it’s a whopping 33% hike! While this might just sound like numbers to some, it’s making quite the splash in Black Mountain’s budget, leading to an added expense of around $275,000. That’s a hefty chunk of change!

Impacting the Town Council

The news of the price increase hit during an April 23 meeting when the Public Works Director, Jamey Matthews, laid it all out for the Town Council. Talk about a wake-up call! Town Manager Josh Harrold was quick to emphasize that this rate hike means it’s time for Black Mountain to roll up its sleeves and dig deeper, literally! Harrold pointed out the urgent need for more wells in the area to save a pretty penny and cut back on the increasing reliance on Asheville. But here’s the kicker – we’re not just talking about a couple of wells. Black Mountain needs ten additional wells to really offset the water purchases from its neighbor, and there’s no guarantee these wells will meet sampling tests.

If that’s not enough to raise an eyebrow, consider the estimated cost for getting each well operational: between $30,000 and $50,000 each. That’s a monumental bill, especially for a town trying to keep its head above water financially.

Town Leaders in Discussion

Budget Adjustments Ahead

As the council digs deeper into budget recommendations, there’s chatter about increasing the solid waste reduction fee. They’re proposing a $5 increase, raising it to $10 per month. But to really cover costs adequately, Black Mountain would need to charge around $18 per month for that fee. Alongside these changes, residents can expect a projected average increase of about $2.40 per month on water bills thanks to these pesky rate hikes.

Fund Trouble Looms

Now, here’s the twist – there’s currently no mention of increasing property taxes, which might come as a relief to some. However, the general fund revenue for the town has seen better days, plummeting by more than $4.4 million recently. And, for those keeping tabs, no appropriations from the fund balance have been made yet, meaning there’s not enough nitrogen in the tank to support a balanced budget.

Back in October, the Town Council had to make the difficult decision to transfer $2 million from the fund balance to the Helene fund, which didn’t exactly help the cause. Harrold is optimistic about balancing the budget by transferring some funds back, but he warns that if there isn’t enough cash flow, cuts to existing positions might have to be on the table. Yikes!

Future Planning

One thing’s for sure, Council member Alice Berry has her eye on the prize, emphasizing the crucial need for a balanced budget in order to ensure stability for the community’s future. As they navigate these choppy waters, the town’s leaders are doing their best to make waves in the right direction, but it won’t be smooth sailing ahead!

So, Black Mountain, keep your eyes peeled! Your town leaders are working hard to steer through these financial storms and find the best path forward.