Living within our means: A 31 percent water and sewer increase coming to Bolivar

A special called Bolivar City Council meeting got off to a rather slow start Thursday as Mayor Barrett Stevens called the meeting into order at 5:35 p.m. he immediately asked for a motion to enter into a city attorney meeting then reconvened the meeting, at 6:35. Stevens then introduced Ms. Joyce Wilburn, from who he thanked for her offering her time to come to Bolivar and answer questions about the proposed rate hike.
After a brief pause waiting for the first citizen to speak; Wilburn spoke up “One of my roles is to ensure financial stability. Bolivar had a negative change in 2014.  State law says it is essential that we operate in the black. I’m sorry to have to say this, (but) a rate increase is coming.”
One concerned gentleman spoke up, “How much of a rate increase do you think (will be) necessary (for us) to operate in the black?

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