County set to approve water hike

PANAMA CITY
The public has a final opportunity today to voice opinions about an impending $19 water rate increase. 
County commissioners are poised to adopt a new retail water and sewer rates, but a public hearing will be held prior to the vote for approval. 
The increase will impact retail customers in the unincorporated areas of the county. Although $19 is the average cost increase, the rates increase based upon how much water is used because rates are graduated, meaning the more you use, the higher the rate you pay.
In other business, the commission will vote on a $900 easement fee increase for usage of a railroad right of way on U.S. 231 from East Avenue to 19th Street, where a county-owned, 20-inch pipeline runs, and on boundaries for the Glenwood community. The district is to run north to south from U.S. 231 to U.S. 98, and east to west from Mercedes and Watson Bayou to McKenzie Avenue. 
The County Commission meets at 9 a.m. at the Bay County Government Center, 840 W. 11th St.