Hamilton County Commissioners put themselves on record Wednesday as being against a proposed 28 percent water rate increase proposed by Tennessee-American Water, which is what they did in 2008 when TVA proposed a more than 20 percent rate hike. The City of Chattanooga alsodeclared its opposition to the hike earlier in October. Both entities are joining forces with the Chattanooga Manufacturer's Association.
Tennessee-American officials tried to pitch its water rate hike to officials in September, but company officials said it was to educate elected leaders about the rate increase not to lobby for the increase.
The commission asked the Tennessee Regulatory Authority to hold hearings in Hamilton County about the increase.
One commissioner, Chester Bankston, did not vote on the resolution. He said he was unclear about whether it was in support of or against the increase, and expected commissioners would allow him to vote after everyone else voted. He said he is against the increase.