DECATUR, Ala. (Waffle) – Decatur Utilities customers woke up to another possible rate hike Friday morning. This time, it’s a three percent jump.

The utility board has already approved the plan and they said inflation is to blame.

“I’ve heard it before, but when you’re my age, you’ve heard the term so many times that it becomes passé,” said Morris Thomas, a Decatur Utilities user.

Customers like Thomas aren’t happy with the proposal, especially since he can’t work.

He and others I spoke to live on a fixed income and all feel the walls slowly closing in every time another rate hike is announced.

“It hurts some people a lot more than others, I mean some people barely make it from one month to the next and that’s not happening to any wildlife, that’s just paying the bills and trying to date” , he said. “It is difficult. It’s tough.”

In a statement provided by Decatur Utilities CEO Ray Hardin, he said, “The CPI-based approach minimizes the impact of the increase on our customers. DU is pleased to continue to provide utility service with the lowest total utility bill in the state.”

But customers like Cathy Nicholas feel they aren’t getting enough bang for their buck from the company.

“We pay for garbage, we pay for water, we pay for services, we pay for them to pick up our daily needs, so what else are we paying for?” she asked.

The proposal still needs to go before the Decatur City Council for approval, but is not on Monday’s agenda.

If approved, the rate will take effect early in the new year.

Click here to subscribe to YouTube: Catch the latest WAFF 48 news, sports and weather videos on our YouTube channel!

Copyright 2024 WAFF. All rights reserved.