Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-09-06
COUNCIL TO BOOST
WATER RENTS To BE
EFFECTIVE At ONCE
Expect to Add Approximately
$500 to City's Revenue An
nualIy From This Source
SMALL PROFIT is SHOWN
Alderman Mize Moves to Put
Minimum at $500 and
Council Agrees

Water rates in Americas are to
be boosted with the raise in price
made effective with the next water
bills sent out. This was decided last
night when council heard certain
figures prepared by City Engineer
Charles Wheatley and read by AL
derman Carswell of the water and
lights committee.
These figures showed that during
the period from January to Sep
TENDER the plant here ha dumped
a total of 100 million gallons of wa
ter at a cost of SIC, 755.00, with re-
ceipts during the same period of
$17,429.25, or at a profit of some
acterized as insufficient to provide
thing like $500. This sum was char
needed amortization on the machin-
cry used in producing the water
supply and it was also said that dur
ing former years the water depart
ment had shown an annual profit of
from $4,000 to $4,000.
Mayor Poole here stated that the
profit said to have been shown in
past years was a "paper profit
rather than an actual earning and
that this was shown throgh meth
DDS of bookkeeping employed by J.
B. Ansley, when he was city engi-
neer. The profit was shown, he said
through charging the city with the
rental of fire hydrants and city de-
partments with water used, as well
as the furnishing of current for
lighting the city hall and similar SER
vice that is not now charged for by
the water department under the
present system of bookkeeping.
Alderman Carswell said in view
of the close margin, between receipts
and operating expenditures, it might
be necessary to increase water rates
and this, apparently, was the signal
for a general expression of senti-
ment favorable to boosting rates.
Alderman Allison said he thought
it might be best to raise rates, but
that a great many people would be
affected by the boost and it might
be best to wait until the people had
time to express themselves thereon.
He believed that the figures shown
by the water department indicated a
loss in the operation of the water
works.
Alderman Carswell said he had
not presented the figures with any
purpose to have the water rates
raised, but to keep council informed,
adding, however, that with the in
stallation of a new boiler and a
small generator the city could easily
furnish electric current to the citi-
zens. He thought this ought to be
done, as then Americas would be
able to compete with other cities
having cheap power and until this is
done, Americas could not hope to
make real progress.
Alderman Mize said he didn't see
any reason for following along with
the question and moved that the
minimum rates for water hereafter
be fixed at $500, instead of 1885,
as at present. Alderman Mitchell
said ne didn't think raise neces-
sary just now, and it was said that
the department is now giving away
lots Of Water, but this point was not
pressed.
Mayor Poole objected to raising
only the minimum, as this would af
feet only the small water consum-
ers, while he thought the larger us.
ers Of water should pay a just pro
portion Of the contemplated increase
in rates. After some discussion il
was agreed that the matter be re
ferred to committee with the
agreement that the minimum be
placed at $500 a quarter and sht
larger consumers taxed in proper
ticn 10 the boosted price put G9o'
the minimum consumers.
The committee to which the mat
ter was referred was instructed tt
notify the water committee of wha
percentage increase is to be puf
upon water consumers who use more
than the minimum in time to have
this appear on bills to be mailed ou'
October /, it being agreed thai
whatever action is taken by Tho
committee be ratified by the coun
Gil at its next regular meeting.