PERRY, Ga. — Many people in Perry feel their water bills are a lot higher than other nearby cities. However, the city made a decision that could keep the bills from rising.
Many people say the cost of living is quickly becoming unlivable.
"It's sky high, so I said I can't keep paying bills like that," Essie Keen said.
For two people, Keen says her monthly bills are always $150 or more.
"The light bill is $360 dollars. Phone bill is $165," Keen said.
Plus she has her Perry City bill, which many people call a water bill. It includes water consumption, sewer, stormwater and other fees like fire protection.
One she showed from January cost her nearly $200.
"I said wow. It ain't nobody but me and my daughter and I've got to pay this bill," she said.
With the cost of shopping, gas prices and more going up, Keen says bills are a lot to keep up with. She says sometimes she has to ask for help.
We went door to door throughout the city on Thursday. One man says he knows several people who won't move to Perry because of the high rates. His neighbor said that for just two people in the winter, she can pay almost $300 a month.
Keeping inflation and people's struggles in mind, the city says they won't make matters worse.
This week, Perry leaders rejected a proposal to raise water and sewer consumption base rate fees by 7%. One reason was the increase in property values in Houston County.
Because of that, they say your bill should stay around the same unless you're using more water.
"I wish it would drop just a little bit, so I can have a little spending money," Keen said. "Just a little."
While she says she'll continue to make do, all she wants is some extra cash to buy a new church dress.
"I need to go buy me some more clothes. I wear the same clothes over and over again," Keen said.
For now, she'll continue to focus on paying her bills.
During this weeks council meeting, Perry leaders said they can still balance their budget and handle other responsibilities without a water bill increase.