ATHENS, Ala. — The Athens City Council voted Monday afternoon on a package of measures that includes adjustments to water and sewer rates, cost of living raises for city workers, new garbage trucks and a downtown parking lease.
The most significant item on the agenda was an unanimously approved ordinance that will implement water and wastewater rate and fee adjustments recommended by the city’s Water Services Department following a comprehensive rate study presented to the council last month.
Water Services Director Jimmy Junkin told the council in February that rapid growth in Athens — including a 28.4% rise in water service demand and a 35.4% increase in sanitary sewer demand over the last five years — combined with aging infrastructure and inflation, has pushed the cost of delivering those services beyond what current rates cover. The cost of capital construction for infrastructure rehabilitation and expansion has approximately doubled, the department said…