TUNICA, Miss.–Water and sewer rates could be going up in Tunica County, for people on the Tunica County Utility District’s service. That’s pending approval of the Tunica County Board of Supervisors.
“We’re in a tight spot,” explained utility executive director Bill Lee. He said that some pieces of equipment have gone down lately, like a water pump at a station near the casinos, and a bar screen at the county’s sewage plant.
“We have rough;y a million and a half gallons of sewer a day that comes through that plant,” he said. “This is a screen that catches all the solids, all your paper products that don’t dissolve and all this stuff. Lee said the current solution far from befits the pay of the men doing the work.
“Right now I’ve got two men, three to four times a day going up there with a rake, putting i in a five-gallon bucket, carrying it to the dumpster.”
Lee said that’s one example of the many possible failures of a system that’s been neglected because of the lack of money coming in. In making his case, Lee suggested that the rates be raised by $20 per month, $10 for water and $10 for sewer. He said that would provide some of the money needed for raises, for new personnel and for the equipment that needs fixing or replacement.
One board member then suggested granting half of that is possible, knowing what the customers are willing to tolerate.
Lee was instructed to make a presentation to the county administrator, who would then bring findings to the board for possible action.
