Hartman Council Approves Water Rate Increase

by Stephanie Baker

 The Hartman City Council met on Monday, June 9, and approved the final water rate increase, as required by Hartman’s most recent rate study through Rural Water.

The water rate increase taking place in July will be $1.21 for customers inside the city limits and 60 cents for those outside the city limits. The differing rates will even out to both sets of customers paying the same base rate, as required by Rural Water.

Mayor Jackie Weathers reminded the Council it chose to raise the rates over time for the sake of the customer, as opposed to changing the rate with one large increase, adding it is a state-required raise and not done by the city’s choice.

Weathers said the city will be finished with the required rate increases for the remainder of 2025, but reminded the Council the requirement for 2026 will be three percent over the cost Clarksville Connected Utilities dictates.

Spadra-Goose Camp Water Association

Discussion was held over the ongoing debt-repayment situation with the Spadra-Goose Camp Water Association. In May, the Association paid $484 in addition to their monthly bill.

Weathers explained he had spoken to the lawyer and the Council would be unable to put a lien on any of the Association’s property as it owns none, a statement that differed greatly from the previous month’s update.

Weathers said the legal advice he received was to allow the attorney to officially send a letter establishing a firm repayment plan, requiring the Association to pay $1,000 extra each month on its debt, but no less than $500. If the plan was not kept or there is no response, the Council would sue on behalf of the Hartman Water Department. The sending of the official legal letter would cost the city $1,500.

Alderman Dondi Elkins distributed information on the Association’s financials he had found in public records. Elkins volunteered to go to the Association’s public meeting to “get the point across,” as well as to take his opinion on the matter to social media.

Following a heated discussion, Weathers reminded the aldermen to “behave themselves” and not to compromise the situation…

The full story appears in the June 18 edition of The Graphic, found online and in businesses throughout Johnson and Franklin counties.