Leesville Sewer Rates May Increase

Leesville Sewer Rates May Increase

The City of Leesville is looking at a surplus for the first time since 2006--but they are also looking at some uncertainty when it comes to the city's sewage. The sewer bills in Leesville might soon be going up. News Channel 5's Natalie North has the details…@

The City of Leesville's audit was released earlier this week, and although the city has a $52,000 surplus, the sewage department is in the red. Mayor Robert Rose says "we are losing $7 a month, per customers, in the sewage department." Leesville Mayor Robert Rose says it's been a struggle for years, and something's got to give. "We simply have not been charging what a city should charge for sewage."

The Mayor and city leaders are looking at several different options, but one of those *does* include boosting up the monthly bill for Leesville residents. One resident, Omar Heveyat says, "We have to pay a lot of bills. I would prefer the rates not go up." And another Leesville resident Catherine Stephens says, "I would be ok with a rate increase as far as the sewer goes. I mean we do use the city sewer system and if we need to contribute more money to sustain that system, then I'd be ok with that."

Right now, *nothing* has been set in stone yet....and the mayor says they're still going to do some digging to find out the best solution. Mayor Rose added, "When you look at our sewer problems in our city, we can understand now that if you're losing every month on something, it's hard to maintain it let alone replace it as it wears out."

Whether the rates go up or not, the bottom line is, somehow Leesville's sewage problem must get flushed out.  And the public will have an opportunity to express their opinions in a city council public hearing, a date has not been set but we will let you know when a date has been set. There should be a decision made in 45 days, and then turned over to city council for a vote.