By Tabitha Evans Moore | EDITOR & PUBLISHER

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — Led by a determined charge from Metro Utility Board member Glen Thomas, the MUD Board voted unanimously on Tuesday night to lower sewer rates in the Urban District (the former footprint of the Lynchburg city limits) by $2 across the board for all residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Thomas made the motion, and Greg Guinn seconded it.

The move comes after months of behind-the-scenes work re-categorizing many residential customers as commercial customers. In total 52 local customers were moved to the correct billing category resulting in a $80,000 increase in commercial revenue and an $87,000 increase in industrial revenue.

“We’re bringing in way more than we were previously, and our rates need to reflect that,” Thomas explained to the group. “You know, these sewer rates have been a sore spot for a lot of people here in town.”

The reduction moves residential rates from $22.89 per 1000 gallons to $20.89 per 1000 gallons, commercial from $28.18 per 1000 gallons to $26.18 per 1000 gallons, and industrial rates from $33.47 per 1000 gallons to $31.47 per 1000 gallons. The rate change will go into effect on July 1.

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Rates could reduce further

Thomas mentioned during the open discussion of the motion to reduce rates that the current sewer rehab projects taking place in Lynchburg currently could result in a further rate decrease.

Chair Barry Posluszny also mentioned that water loss numbers seem to be coming down.

“This is the first time I’ve seen water loss numbers below 40 percent in a long time. If it’s not a mistake, the most recent number came in at 37 percent.”

When asked what he attributed the positive change to, MUD Manager Ronnie Cunningham stated that MUD officials recently discovered several large leaks in local creeks that could be contributing.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Posluszny replied. “If we can get water loss back down to the 20 percent that the state’s looking for, that will save a lot of spending, and hopefully we’ll be able to reduce water rates as well.”

According to MUD’s website, Tennessee law mandates that the Metro Utility Department operate its water and sewer system as a financially self-sufficient enterprise and that its rates and fees reflect the actual cost of providing its water and sewer services. Therefore, the Department’s only source of revenue comes from the rates and fees its customers pay for water and sewer service.

The MUD Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month and will meet again on Tuesday, June 10 at 6 p.m. at the Metro Utility Department located at 705 Fayetteville Highway in Lynchburg. To be added to the agenda to speak during the public comment period, contact Katie Goodwin at 931-759-4297. •

{The Lynchburg Times is a non-partisan, locally owned community newspaper located in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We publish new stories daily as well as breaking news as it happens. It’s run by a Moore County native and Tulane University-educated journalist with over 20 years of experience. It’s also one of the few women-owned newspapers in the state. We are supported by both readers and community partners who believe in independent journalism for the common good. You can support us by clicking here. }