Water tap fees raise ire of Stephenson
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Wayne Stephenson believes the city of Jasper is losing new home construction business to neighboring cities because of the recent hike in water/sewer tap fees.

"I have made a living selling Jasper," said Stephenson, a Realtor for 42 years. "There are some negative issues that are coming out of this city and into this region. I received a call recently from out of town that said Jasper has an antidevelopment attitude.

"We have entrusted you to represent us in the affairs of our city and we trust in you to protect not only the financial integrity of this community but also give us the opportunity of growth in projecting a positive image in this area and region," Stephenson said.

Stephenson's ire was raised over the city's decision to raise the water/sewer tap fees from $350 to $1,800 on new developments.

Stephenson provided documentation from surrounding cities that show a much lower rate in sewer and water tap fees.

For instance, the city of Kirbyville's fees for a ?" or 4" water tap and 4" sewer tap fee is $250 apiece. The city of Newton's total water/sewer tap fees is $500 while the city of Woodville's total water/sewer tap fees are $550.

Larger cities such as Livingston charge $1,000 for water/sewer tap fees while Silsbee charges $550. Even larger communities such as Lufkin and Huntsville charge only $666 and $1,250 respectively.

Stephenson said in all he researched 12 competing communities including Rayburn Country and it showed Jasper was "unique and outstanding in its water and sewer tap fees."

Jasper City Manager Alan Grindstaff said the fees are based on actual costs to the city.

Grindstaff noted that the rates had not changed since 1994 while costs for equipment and labor had over the past 12 years.

"There have been a lot of changes since 1994 and 2007," Grindstaff said. "Maybe the other cities haven't taken a look at their water-sewer tap fees like we did."

Grindstaff said that over the past 12 years, the city has been taking a fall on the fee prices and that was being passed on to the consumers.

"The water and sewer rate payers were covering the costs of the rates," Grindstaff said. "Enterprise funds are their own separate non-profit entity and what comes in for water and sewer stays in that department in order to run the system."

Grindstaff said it is important to note that other cities include other costs into their water-sewer tap in fees that are not included in just that figure.

"We didn't compare ourselves to other cities," Grindstaff said. "Some cities have impact fees. You have to look at the whole picture. But we're not concerned with that as much as we are with the actual costs."

Stephenson questioned why other cities can afford to provide this service at much less cost and questioned how much the city is paying for these services when other cities provide them for much less.

"If Lufkin and Silsbee can do it, why not Jasper?" Stephenson said. "I am sure there is no reason why Jasper can't be a pro-active community when it comes to development."

Stephenson suggested that the city do away with its water-sewer tap fees for the rest of the year and see what message this sends to developers.

Grindstaff said since the fee hike, numbers have remained constant in the city as far as water-sewer tap fee payments.

"They are about the same as what we have had in the past," Grindstaff said.