Residents in DeKalb County have received a temporary reprieve from the impending 10% water and sewer rate hike initially set to become effective July 1. The county has announced, via an official statement, a postponement of the increase as it works to cement a partnership with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta—a collaboration aimed at advocating for customer interests—and enhance public education efforts about the coming changes.
As detailed in an announcement on the county's website, the delay will provide the necessary time to ensure the Urban League contract is fully realized and to confirm that residents are sufficiently informed about the financial assistance and resources that will be available once the new rates apply. These measures signal a crucial intermission before the average water and sewer bill—for approximately 180,000 households—jumps from $69.50 to $76.40 to fund infrastructural improvements long overdue.
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, in a move acknowledging the elemental need for water access coupled with community support, stated, "Access to clean, reliable water is essential, and so is ensuring that our customers are supported. Delaying the rate increase will give us time to finalize our partnership with the Urban League and ensure customers know about the resources available to assist them before the new rates take effect. This is not about moving swiftly, but about moving responsibly and ensuring we get this right for the residents we serve."
The postponement decision underscores the county's commitment to handling the rate adjustment with care, instead of hurried enforcement, and comes after acknowledging that years of infrastructural neglect have necessitated a financial response imperative for maintaining a safe and dependable water system. As the county finalizes its partnership and public outreach, customers can expect further communication regarding when they will see their bills reflect the revised rates.
For residents seeking more information on the matter, the county encourages visiting their website to stay informed on when the new billing will commence and to learn more about the Urban League's role and the assistance programs to be offered. The updated timeline for the rate increase will be made public as soon as the County's preparations are complete.
