JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A U.S. District judge wants to hear more suggestions before making his final decision on whether to raise JXN Water rates.

Interim Third-Party Manager Ted Henifin presented his proposed rate increase before U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate and the public on Monday. JXN Water officials said the average residential customer will see an $8.00 to $9.00 monthly increase.

Councilman Ashby Foote, Ward 1, said numerous improvements have been made to the water and sewage system under the control of JXN Water, but he hopes there will not be a rate increase.

“I just think that, you know, it’s not fair to the people who’ve been paying their rates all this time, paying their water bills when we’ve got our collection rates only at the 70% level,” Foote said.

Henifin previously proposed a budget of more than $148 million at 100% collection rate, which was rejected by the City Council in April. According to Henifin, the existing rates will generate about $115 million, assuming everyone paid their bill.

“That’s just to pay the operating budget. We still wouldn’t have money to pay debt,” said Henifin.

Robert Ireland spoke on behalf of apartment owners and opposed the increase. However, Henifin and Wingate said they have a list of apartment complexes that have not paid water bills for a long time. One complex owes more than $1 million.

“We’re quite disturbed at those who haven’t paid their bills. We have some things in place but forgiveness isn’t one of them,” said Wingate.

Councilman Vernon Hartley, Ward 5, is also against a rate increase. He understands JXN Water is spending more money than the city is spending to run the system.

“They are affected. They’re concerned. They appreciate JXN Water. However, we have to balance this some way into something that’s affordable, something that’s practical, and something that the City of Jackson can handle on its own,” Hartley stated.

Wingate will continue hearing suggestions, and Henifin will resume his presentation on Tuesday, June 17 at 1:00 p.m.