By james art 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Birmingham Water Works customers got a chance to voice their opinion on next year’s proposed budget plan Monday night.
This plan includes a rate increase of 4.9% plus a new way to structure how you charge yourself.
The board did not vote to approve these proposed changes, and several customers are asking why they are expected to pay more.
The budget plan includes a 4.9 percent rate increase, a change to the utility’s rate structure and $10 million to begin a transition to automated meter reading.
The board cited labor increases as a budget driver. They also said one of the factors behind some of the proposed changes is the drop in water demand.
“The cost of producing water has gone up, all of our costs to produce the same volume of water that we produced a year ago have gone up. Whether it’s in chemicals, whether it’s in power, whether it’s in fuel for our vehicles, whether the vehicles we use; all the infrastructure we use, that cost goes up. Inflation hit us just like it hit everyone else in America,” said BWWB Interim General Manager Darryl Jones.
Customers have expressed opposition to the changes, but some believe their concerns may not be taken seriously.
“Personally, I feel it’s a rigged meeting, they want a 4.9% increase, they’re probably going to come back and say ‘oh we’re going to do half of that and we expect to be happy, but I’m not too optimistic,'” said Carl Tonitis, “especially when you go above the inflation rate, which I think this year is about 2.1 and it’s going to go up to what, 4.9, I think that’s a little bit unfair.”
Jones says a vote on an increase could happen at the next scheduled board meeting, which is set for Nov. 20.
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