O'Connell criticizes council after water relief plan fails
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Mayor Freddie O'Connell rebuked the Metro Council on Wednesday morning for not passing his plan to give Nashvillians credits on their water bills.
Why it matters: Rate payers won't see the nearly $26 credit, which O'Connell proposed as financial relief following the January ice storm.
- The narrow vote was a notable defeat in the council for O'Connell's administration.
What he's saying: In a rare statement following a council meeting, O'Connell called it "an incredibly disappointing outcome after a devastating weather event.
- "At a time when people are hurting from higher prices everywhere coupled with winter storm damage costs, this council couldn't see fit to return $26 to every Nashvillian," he said. "Metro has tightened its belt multiple times, and Water assured us they could, too."
Driving the news: The legislation failed by a vote of 16 in favor, 18 opposed.
By the numbers: The proposal would have cost Metro about $6 million.
Flashback: The O'Connell administration, including top water department official Scott Potter, told residents to drip their water faucets to help prevent bursting pipes during and after the winter storm.
- O'Connell introduced legislation that would provide across-the-board credits on a future water bill.
The other side: Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston was a vocal critic of the plan, arguing the credit was unnecessary for the majority of water customers who didn't see higher bills as a result of the storm.
- She also contended the proposal didn't do enough to help residents whose bills did go up.
- Johnston worried that the extra expenses incurred by Metro water from the storm could lead to a rate increase.
- She favored a more targeted approach by directing federal relief funds to utility bill relief programs under the Metro Action Commission.