LAKE COUNTY, Fla.,None — Nearly 400 people protested at Dunnellon City Hall on Monday after the city raised their water rates. Dunnellon recently bought the private water company that serves residents in Rainbow Springs, a community a couple of miles outside the city limits.
"There are many people who cancelled doctor appointments, golf matches, or whatever the case may be to be here. It's that important," protester Lynn Black said.
The residents are now planning to sue, and they're starting to raise money for it. Some residents will watch their monthly bill jump from $75 to $150.
The city paid $6 million for the private water company. It picked up more than 1,800 customers and promptly raised their rates.
Mayor Fred Ward is catching most of the heat.
"We're not big ogres down here. We don't see dollar signs that we're looking to rob people," Ward said.
The City Council hiked rates and added a 25 percent surcharge on Rainbow Springs homeowners, partly to bring rates in line with what Dunnellon residents already pay and partly to encourage conservation.
But some members of the Marion County Commission, who took part in a joint meeting, believe the city went too far.
"Those water rates have doubled. That's a pretty big increase," Marion County Commissioner Kathy Bryant said.
And residents said to add to the unfairness, they can't get even on Election Day because they cannot vote in Dunnellon city elections, so they'll do what they can.
"And the old saying is, 'Never upset a retired person.' We have all the time in the world to beat on you. And we're going to," Black said.
State statute allows municipalities to set surcharges when taking over a private water system to cover the cost of upgrades, but Rainbow Springs residents said their system doesn't need any.
WFTV
