Flushing The Toilet Could Cost More In Orange Beach

Orange Beach City Hall isn't the most popular place in town these days...budget problems, layoffs and now, a possible utility rate increase. The city council wants to raise monthly sewer bills from 20 dollars to 28 dollars. Customers living outside the city limits but within the city's jurisdiction could soon pay 42 dollars a month, up from 30 dollars a month. The rate increase would help offset a projected 1.5 million dollar budget shortfall in 2010. If the rate increase is approved, more than 20 city jobs currently on the economic chopping block could be saved.

"If we lose 20 jobs, we're going to lose considerable services, there's no way at this point in time to drop personnel and maintain the same level of service," says Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon. "It's black and white, it's not rocket science, you either have a shortfall and job reduction and a reduction in services or you increase sewer fees and you save those jobs, that's essentially the choices the council has to make."

Not everyone is happy about the proposed hike. Rex Horton has lived in Orange Beach for ten years. Horton says he can't afford another utility hike.

"I think it's just bad timing right now," says Horton. "I understand them wanting to upgrade the sewer system but with the economy the way it is right now, it's just a bad idea."

If the council approves the hike, city leaders say sewer service would still be a bargain. At 28 bucks a month, officials say Orange Beach would still have the cheapest sewer service in Baldwin County.

The Orange Beach City Council could approve the sewer rate hike as early as next week.