Authority Expresses Frustration Over Whole-Sale Water Rate

The Clayton-Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority met Tuesday morning and furthered discussed the whole-sale water rate.

The water and sewer authority has been calling for a higher rate since June, and authority Chairman Randy Speed expresses his frustration with the current situation regarding the water rate and the city of Clayton.

“We’re an authority with no authority,” said Speed. “If we can’t get along with them to agree on a water rate that gives us revenue, then there’s no agreement.”

Authority member Billy Johnson suggested that there is a better way to try to reach an agreement with the city of Clayton rather than sending letters with proposed rates back and forth.

“I do not feel like there has been a nature, environment, or atmosphere of negotiation,” said Johnson. “Until that approach is made, I think we’ll be at a standstill.”

The Clayton City Council invited three members of the water and sewer authority to their work session on Tuesday evening to discuss the water rate in person.