Utilities in Cookeville (how much, calculating, property taxes)

[tismekll]

I am looking for assistance to get an idea of the cost of utilities in the Cookeville area. I understand that garage pickup is included within the city limits. True? Further questions:
1. Are sewer charges part of the water bill or property taxes?
2. What is the charge for each kWh used for electricity?
3. What is the charge for each Therms used for gas?
I'm sure this information would prove to be beneficial to all who are calculating their monthy expenses if they were to live in the area.
Thank you

[TN Tin Man]

http://www.cookeville-tn.org/

[arblair79]

I justed noticed that the paper bill I receive isn't broken out exactly like the account history you can view online...hmmm....anyway....

Electric avg is about $0.085/KWH

Sewer
10 units = $8.50, 20 units = $11.50, 30 units = $11.76

Water
10 units = $7.13, 20 units = $7.13, 30 units, $11.76
(paper bill lists $6.50 for 10 units, and $.64 in taxes)

Water Storage
10 units = $.11, 20 units = $.22, 30 units = $.33
(paper bill lists $.10 for 10 units)

I haven't used gas in several months, so there may have been a rate increase but it was about $1.65/unit. There is a $5.00 base fee if you have service, but use no units.

The city does provide trash pickup, leaf pickup. There isn't a line item for this on the utility bill, so it may be rolled into property taxes some way.

Oh and there is talk of a new 'solid waste fee' to be added to utility bills instead of raising property taxes.......

[tismekll]

Originally Posted by arblair79

I justed noticed that the paper bill I receive isn't broken out exactly like the account history you can view online...hmmm....anyway....

Electric avg is about $0.085/KWH

Sewer
10 units = $8.50, 20 units = $11.50, 30 units = $11.76

Water
10 units = $7.13, 20 units = $7.13, 30 units, $11.76
(paper bill lists $6.50 for 10 units, and $.64 in taxes)

Water Storage
10 units = $.11, 20 units = $.22, 30 units = $.33
(paper bill lists $.10 for 10 units)

I haven't used gas in several months, so there may have been a rate increase but it was about $1.65/unit. There is a $5.00 base fee if you have service, but use no units.

The city does provide trash pickup, leaf pickup. There isn't a line item for this on the utility bill, so it may be rolled into property taxes some way.

Oh and there is talk of a new 'solid waste fee' to be added to utility bills instead of raising property taxes.......

Thank you Arblair...I'm not sure that I understand what "water storage" is? Would that be equivilant to what my bill states which is "water delivery?"
It seems that many people complain about their water bills in the southeast so I was trying to get a handle on how much a monthly bill would be for the average size family. Thank you again for your assistance

[JMT]

Originally Posted by tismekll

Thank you Arblair...I'm not sure that I understand what "water storage" is? Would that be equivilant to what my bill states which is "water delivery?"
It seems that many people complain about their water bills in the southeast so I was trying to get a handle on how much a monthly bill would be for the average size family. Thank you again for your assistance

The water storage fee is what the Corps of Engineers is charging Cookeville and other cities who get their water from COE lakes. A couple of years ago the COE realized there was a line in their contract with Cookeville that allows the COE to charge Cookeville for using Center Hill Lake. It's a weird scheme, but essentially they can charge Cookeville for merely having a water pump at the lake, whether the city uses it or not. And since the COE didn't charge the city for the last 30+ years, they're making the city pay the COE pay it now and pay for the last 30+ years.

It would be similar to a city who hooks you up to their sewer service but doesn't charge you for it for 30 years. Then all of a sudden they realize you should've been charged for the last 30 years and then they bill you for the last 30 years.

[tismekll]

Originally Posted by JMT

The water storage fee is what the Corps of Engineers is charging Cookeville and other cities who get their water from COE lakes. A couple of years ago the COE realized there was a line in their contract with Cookeville that allows the COE to charge Cookeville for using Center Hill Lake. It's a weird scheme, but essentially they can charge Cookeville for merely having a water pump at the lake, whether the city uses it or not. And since the COE didn't charge the city for the last 30+ years, they're making the city pay the COE pay it now and pay for the last 30+ years.

It would be similar to a city who hooks you up to their sewer service but doesn't charge you for it for 30 years. Then all of a sudden they realize you should've been charged for the last 30 years and then they bill you for the last 30 years.

Thanks JMT...that explains it..Although I am aware that you don't live in the area, do you have any idea of what an average family would pay for water on a monthly basis? I know you have acquaintances there I am always somewhat surprised at how much water cost in some states

[JMT]

Originally Posted by tismekll

Thanks JMT...that explains it..Although I am aware that you don't live in the area, do you have any idea of what an average family would pay for water on a monthly basis? I know you have acquaintances there I am always somewhat surprised at how much water cost in some states

It looks like arblair79 covered that, but you might want to call the Cookeville Water Department and ask them what the average is:
931-520-5227

Good luck.

[arblair79]

Originally Posted by arblair79

Water
10 units = $7.13, 20 units = $7.13, 30 units, $11.76
(paper bill lists $6.50 for 10 units, and $.64 in taxes)

Knew something looked funny about that.....it should be
Water.....
10 units = $7.13, 20 units = $7.13, 30 units = $8.93


As far as what water would be for an 'average' family....I have no idea. It's just me... and I do about 3 small loads of laundry a week, and hand wash a sink full of dishes about twice a week, 15 min avg shower. No watering the lawn, no washing the car, etc. And a lot of times I think they don't even come and read the meter....they just 'estimate'...

[MrsMtnsOnTheMind]

Originally Posted by JMT

The water storage fee is what the Corps of Engineers is charging Cookeville and other cities who get their water from COE lakes. A couple of years ago the COE realized there was a line in their contract with Cookeville that allows the COE to charge Cookeville for using Center Hill Lake. It's a weird scheme, but essentially they can charge Cookeville for merely having a water pump at the lake, whether the city uses it or not. And since the COE didn't charge the city for the last 30+ years, they're making the city pay the COE pay it now and pay for the last 30+ years.

It would be similar to a city who hooks you up to their sewer service but doesn't charge you for it for 30 years. Then all of a sudden they realize you should've been charged for the last 30 years and then they bill you for the last 30 years.

Greedy people.......funny how they don't reimburse people when they make mistakes.