Local News

Clayton wants to pass rising utility costs on to residents, but they're already hurting from inflation

On June 21, the Clayton Town Council is set to consider increasing its rates for electric, water and sewer utilities.

Posted 2022-06-16T21:04:54+00:00 - Updated 2022-06-16T23:01:11+00:00

Clayton proposes utility rate hikes as families face soaring costs

Matt Talhelm

, WRAL reporter

The town of Clayton is considering increasing its rates for electric, water and sewer utilities.

It marks the first proposed electric rate increase by the town in seven years and would add up to about $277 more per year for the typical household.

“The rate increases are going to cover the additional costs we’re currently seeing based on the economy we’re in,” interim Town Manager Rich Cappola said. “With the cost of everything going up, unfortunately our services are not insulated from those increases.”

On June 6, the town council heard a presentation about the 2022-23 budget. It proposes an average rate increase of 7% for electric. It also proposes water and sewer rates go up 16% to pay for a new wastewater treatment plant. The current plant is 55 years old.

The town told WRAL News the construction costs for the new plant doubled in the last three years.

Cappola said the additional funds would go toward daily operations. He said it would also help replace and maintain existing infrastructure.

“That’s labor, fuel, just overall operating costs it takes to deliver that gallon of water or electric service to the user,” Cappola said.

Fourth-generation Clayton resident Dan Barbour, owner of Barbour Shop Creative Services, said, “It’s a whole lot at once, and I wish the town would be more forthcoming on where that money is supposed to be spent."

Clayton resident Laurel Wiberg has lived in town for three years.

“It was just like the gas prices going up, the food prices going up, it’s hurting everybody,” Wibert said. “And now, this on top of it. We can’t afford this at this time.”

Barbour echoed Wiberg’s sentiments about the proposed budget with increased costs.

"I get it that costs are high, going up on everything, but I feel like we have the right to know exactly where these demands are coming from,” Barbour said.

The town council is expected to vote on the new rates at its June 21 meeting.

“We’ve looked at many different options, and if there was any way to be able to continue delivering levels of service we do without a rate adjustment, we would,” Cappola said. “Unfortunately, in the current economic times that is not an option for us.”