Utility bills are on the rise in The Queen City

Inflation has hit many of us with price increases on fuel and groceries. For many Meridian residents, Utility Bills are increasing during this ongoing period of inflation. The topic of discussion was brought up today during the Work Session meeting. Major Jimmie Smith speaks more on the matter.

"Well, as it's been mentioned earlier today in our meeting, you know, the prices of services are going up constantly. The garbage fees are going up, the water bill is going up because we're in a Court decree. There are constant prices just going up that we have to, insert into our budget. That's what we have to do. I mean, that's a fact. It's not because we want to we have to, but we have to." stated Mayor Smith.

You may also notice fewer and fewer recycling bins around town lately and this is what Mayor Smith had to say on that matter.

"Well, recycling is high and we don't have enough recycling in our community. That's cost-effective. And it has to go out somewhere in Alabama, I believe, if memory serves me correctly, where it's cost prohibitive. So we have not been recycling probably for quite a while," he said.

In an inflationary environment, the price of many different things along with goods and services prices may rise which may cause frustration and stress to some.

"We're trying to do the best we can with what we have to work with. And we are aware of taxpayers' dollars and we're concerned about that," said the Mayor.