Boiling Springs residents speak out against rising water rates
By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — It’s one of those things that’s going to happen sometime or another and that sometime is now. Recently, the water and sewer rates for Boiling Springs utility customers increased roughly 15% with some allegedly much higher.
The town council meeting was packed to support four residents and water customers who signed up to voice their concerns about the increase in water utility rates.
Thom Bates spoke first, noting the rising costs across the board make even a minor increase in water rates difficult for some.
Bates spoke on the Cleveland County property tax increase last year which is detrimental to those on a fixed income and how social security increases for retirees haven’t matched that of the rising costs set by local governments such as the county and the town of Boiling Springs. He told the council his plans to retire might be delayed.
“I was contemplating retirement early next year, but due to these rate increases I’m rethinking my plans,” he said, also noting other bills. “…with water rates and property taxes increased about the same time, many households cannot absorb the impact.”
He continued by saying, “Economic development should not come at the expense of the people who live here.” Bates also asked if grants were available and explanations of why the increase was put on the backs of utility customers. However, he stated he wasn’t against the town’s needs, but that increases come with transparency, accountability and advance notice.”
Shelia Canipe spoke next. She stated that her first bill was $55.20 when she moved to her home in Boiling Springs and her current bill was $152.40.
“I live alone; that is ridiculous,” she said, standing at the podium while addressing the town council. “That’s three times what I started paying four years ago.”
Canipe then expressed her love for Boiling Springs but her disdain for the water service and the amount she is now paying. She also noted she is paying $120 a year for recycling but said it’s never picked up until she calls and asks them to do so.
“I have to call every single time I push that cart out,” said Canipe. “Every single time I get missed.”
“And the girls (at the town hall) know my name, ‘surely, they did not miss you again’ — yeah I was forgotten again.”
But overall, Canipe said her main complaint was the water rate increase. Her public speaking time expired before she could finish her comments.
Lisa Faile spoke next, taking to the podium to address the town council, she asked if a gradual increase could have been introduced instead of such a drastic increase at once.
Faile spoke of her love and family history for Boiling Springs, but her concern with the increase made without many being made clearly aware.
She moved back to Boiling Springs, just barely outside the town limits, a few years ago, noting that her water bill has increased from $80 to $141.
“141 dollars for one person in my house, I think, is absolutely ridiculous,” Faile said. “I have a son who lives in SouthPark, his water bill is $38.” Faile went on to acknowledge that it may not be a fair comparison but her water bill for one person “is outrageous.”
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“Yes, we have aging pipes, but we have known that for years and years and better long-range planning should have been done,” she said. “If we’re going to have increases like this, could we spread them out? Maybe do a two percent increase?”
She said she had heard there would be a 15 percent increase, but Faile’s was more than that number, adding, “I can’t afford that,” she said, being a teacher on a set income.
She mentioned her neighbor’s water bill was more than her own, stressing the severity of the costs.
“We’re working-class families; Boiling Springs is blue collar,” she added, “We need to be able to afford to live in this beautiful town.” Faile also stressed the importance of more transparency. She also noted that she lives just outside the town limits but is a utility customer of Boiling Springs, so while she can’t vote for council, she is subject to what the town decides with the water rates.
Last, but not least, resident Karma Edwards brought up the vanguard of water comments by the public, being the last to speak on the matter.
Edwards touched on those with disabilities and the elderly on limited / fixed income trying to make ends meet are now facing much higher water bill costs. She also spoke on her own understanding that infrastructure requires adjustment but felt this increase was too much at one time.
“I’m concerned about how we're funding this, the size of the compounding nature of these increases and the lack of transparency and community engagement…” Edwards continued noting her understanding that increases were done so by recommendations of professionals but these consultants don’t take into account the consequences on real people, adding, “Decisions of this kind of long-term economic impact should also consider the economic reality of the people who live and work here…”
She made the argument that the typical cost of living adjustment doesn’t match the increases, stating, “With the typical COLA being 2.8 percent, how can residents afford double-digit increases over the next five to ten years, whiles facing higher property taxes?”
Edwards stated she believed other options were in order, such as smaller increases over time to meet the current rate goal. Edwards also asked the council consider four points of improvements, which included improved transparency in communication by making things easier for residents to understand, revisit capital improvement plans to find a way to make smaller increases in utility rates possible, reinvent community engagement to get residents more involved before a decision is made – not after, and clarify the funding for projects, so residents understand the difference between property taxes, capital improvement plan fund and grant funding.
“Those grants are creating positive things for our community, but residents can’t see the positive amongst their anger and frustration,” she added. “We all want to see Boiling Springs grow, improve and thrive, but growth should also protect those that already call this place home.”
Town Manager Zachary Parker spoke in response to the concern expressed by residents, mentioning that he, too, feels the pain of the water bill, as a resident of Boiling Springs; he feels the pinch like everyone else. He noted that bills will vary based on usage, as it may be more or less one month to the next. Parker also stated they looked at other sources of revenue to offset as much of the cost as possible.
“We’ve received significant grants – about $20 million dollars,” Parker explained. “And part of my job is to deliver bad news; I also pay the water bill. My water bill went up, too,” he stressed, understanding their frustration. “Part of the worry was 15% might not have been enough.”
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Parker noted the utility has to be run like a business and the problem with a loan is that the rate must encompass any debt the town has. Parker explained that the base rate has to be included in the utility rate based on state laws.
“If we don’t, the state will come in and say, ‘You’re not running your utility correctly,’” Parker noted. “I will say to you all, the board and I are conscientious of the rates because they pay the rate, too.”
Parker said he is happy to talk about water and sewer bills, for any resident to call him at work and he’d be glad to talk about it.
He explained that sewer and water lines are being replaced and are partly funded by grants but also are the reason for rate increases, besides the standard increase of operational expenses.
Parker noted the cost of the water and sewer lines are not controlled by the board. “I can’t control that cost; I wish, but I have no control over those costs.”
Council members agreed and understood the concerns of the citizens, with them all expressing they are in the same boat. Starting with Bill Ellis and working through all members, they all mentioned the residents were not alone in the rising costs.
Council member Justin Davis suggested a possible informal town hall meeting could be useful to talk about the cost of the water and sewer rates. Davis noted his utility bill went up about $30 dollars. “It’ frustrating, I understand that,” he added.
One by one, Council Members Ellis, Davis, Wood, Thomas, Litton and Mayor Tommy Greene expressed their understanding about the increase of water and sewer bill and also their excitement for the Boiling Springs community as they work to improve the town for the people that call it home.
The next Boiling Springs Council meeting will be held on Oct. 6, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent.
The Shelby Independent.
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