Kingsport to delay water/sewer rate increases
Due to the recent issues with Kingsport’s water meters and the reading of water usage, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Friday voted to delay water and sewer rate increases by one month.
The BMA approved the fiscal year 2023 budget last month, which included a 7.5% rate increase for all water customers and a 13.5% rate increase for all sewer customers. Those new rates were to go into effect July 1, 2022.
However, the BMA voted on first reading Friday morning to delay those increases until Aug. 1, 2022. A second and final vote on the measure is scheduled for July 19.
Deputy City Manager Ryan McReynolds said the delay was recommended by city staff in an effort to be fair to the customers.
“In the interest of fairness and due to the billing issues, we’re pushing back the rate increases by one month,” McReynolds said. “We apologize for the disruption and we appreciate everyone’s patience during this time as we work to return billing back to normal.”
Please note – Your water meter is registering the correct water usage and you’re not being overbilled for your water. At this time, the City of Kingsport is not charging any late fees or performing any cutoffs of water service.
If you have any further questions about your water bill, please call 423-343-9860.