property of the people in the sewer district as

property of the people in the sewer district as collateral for a loan.

“I’d be doing a disservice not to support an increase,” he said. “I’d hate to think I sat on this board in 1991 and 15 years later the plant is a disaster and we’re out there on our own.” He said for this past year the authority had to use interest income to meet expenses.

Member Carson Johnson, who opposed the rate increase, said the income has been paying for capital improvements to the plant and parts of it are new. He said about one third of the people hooked into the system don’t need it.

“A lot of people have come to me since we put out the notice and said we can’t afford any more,” he said. “Some said if it is going to keep going up, I’m going to have to get out. I just can’t afford it.”

Mr. Johnson said he and several other people had working septic tanks but joined the system to help the people in the flood plain who did have to join. “Without these people, we would really be hand up,” he said.

Christine Johnston said, “People are reluctant to hood on as long as the rates continue to rise. With the economy what it is, it’s a bad time to raise rates.”

Mr. Swindler said, “Our choices are to keep the rate what it is and pay operating costs and no more and keep everybody happy for the short term and take the chance that in 15 or 20 years the federal government will have grant money or in 15 or 20 years have to float a bond and offer as security the users’ property. I think the best option is the 10 percent increase.”

Mrs. Johnston asked if the increase could bo postponed for a year or two until the economy improves.

“It can,” Mr. Leggett said. “In my opinion we have postposed it too long already.”

Mr. Swindler’s motion to approve the increase passed 3 to 1 with Mr. Johnson voting against it.