17 percent water rate increase on hold

  

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The proposed rate hike for Raleigh water customers is on hold.

Mayor Charles Meeker has put off bringing the issue up for a vote before the city council until later this month.

The proposal would raise water rates 17 percent or about $5 a month for residential customers. If approved, the hike would take effect next month.

Officials say it's needed to balance the public utilities department budget. They're selling less water because people are conserving better and because of the wet weather we've had. Opponents say now is the wrong time to raise the costs on residents because of the recession.

The city council will hold a special meeting on April 27 at 4 p.m. to discuss the utilities issue.

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