Customers of Xenia Rural Water District are protesting the increase that will come to $100/year for those who live in town, $1,000 a year for rural dwellers, and come to thousands for farmers, according to KCCI TV.
Xenia sees no other option due to $141 million debt left in the wake of abandoned expansion plans for new water treatment plants and laying new water pipe. Water officials had hoped to nearly double the number of customers and add about $1 million in additional revenue by 2011—projections which dried up when the economy did, according to the Des Moines Register.
A public hearing on July 20 allowed angry customers to criticize the company’s mismanagement of funds.
A vote for the increase could come as early as July 23, and bills could reflect the increase as early as August.
