[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish residents could see new water bill fee

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish residents could see new water bill fee



wwltv.com

Posted on August 2, 2012 at 10:21 PM

Updated yesterday at 10:22 PM

Tania Dall / Eyewitness News

Email: tdall at wwltv.com | Twitter: @taniadall

CHALMETTE, La. -- Residents in Saint Bernard Parish could soon see their
water bills go up.

Next week, parish officials will look at a proposal to add an extra fee to
help balance the budget. Residents could see an extra $25 to $50 dollars
added to their monthly water bills.

Parish officials say sales tax revenue is down and the extra money will help
pay the bills.

"It's a beautiful park and it's one of those things they fixed up after the
storm," said Marcus Chalona.

The Chalmette man and his grandsons love to play at Sydney Torres Memorial
Park, where Eyewitness News caught up with him.

St. Bernard Parish officials say adding an extra fee to resident's water
bills will help pay for parks like that one.

"I can see what's been happening in the parish and it's pretty
understandable that they're going to have to find a source of revenue
somewhere," said Chalona.

"I believe the sales tax is approximately $6 million in reduction of sales
tax revenues collected this year based on budget that was presented," said
St. Bernard Parish Councilman Guy McInnis, who points to less B.P. oil spill
workers and levee construction crews in the area compared to a year or two
ago.

McInnis said that has negatively impacted sales tax revenues.

McInnis also said Saint Bernard Parish budgeted for $20 million in sales tax
revenue; instead, $15 or $16 million is expected to be collected.

"Sooner or later something has got to give and we're not going to, this
council and this administration, isn't going to go into deficit spending,"
said McInnis.

According to parish documents, the extra fee would go toward paying for
services like the fire department, recreation, public works, mosquito
control, road lighting and sanitation.

However, for some residents like Pete Lavaty, an extra fee on his water bill
is just a bad idea.

"It makes me feel not good. Our mortgage is high, and we have enough
utilities as it is," said Lavaty.

The proposed water bill fee will be officially introduced next week during
Tuesday's Parish Council Meeting at 11 a.m. It will also be discussed during
Monday night's Executive Finance Committee at 4 p.m.

McInnis said it won't be officially voted on until later in the month and
that public input is welcome.