Town Raises Fees; Critics Raise Ruckus City Officials, Workers Get Their Water Free

There is something about the water and sewer service in Priest River that stinks, and Melissa Bethel aims to clean it up.

It seems the city has a decades-old policy of giving free water and sewer service to employees, the mayor and City Council members. Other residents pay about $40 a month for the services.

“I think it’s a little bit crooked and people are mad about,” Bethel said.

Residents got even more peeved when the council agreed to raise the rates about $2 this month.

“There is something a little strange about a council voting to raise fees for something they get for free,” Bethel said. “I am willing to pay my fair share, but we all need to pay our fair share.”

More than 250 residents have signed a petition to put a halt to the freebie for city employees and protest the rate hike. The City Council will take up the matter Monday night and Bethel and her troops will be on hand.

“We think it’s an unfair practice and we are not even sure if it was voted in legally,” Bethel said.

Priest River Mayor Harvey “Rush” Balison said there is no record of when the city started the free water and sewer policy. It was part of a fringe benefit for employees when the city could not afford to offer retirement, insurance, paid vacations or other benefits.

“There was never any secret about it. This policy has been in place for a long time and everyone just accepted it,” Balison said. “Personally I don’t feel this should be causing such a large hassle.”

The city has about 18 employees. Balison said it would be different if those employees had exorbitant salaries, but they don’t. And if the free water and sewer is taken away from them, Balison, who also gets the free service, said he will lobby to increase employees’ pay.

“My battle will be to maintain it for employees, but I think it’s a battle I’m going to lose,” Balison said.

, DataTimes