Insolvent-Plagued Asheville Loses Water Lawsuit

ASHEVILLE — A state Superior Court judge issued a ruling Friday dismissing the city of Asheville’s lawsuit against North Carolina and Buncombe County seeking control of the city water system’s rates and revenues.

Judge Howard Manning of Wake County said the state General Assembly did not exceed its constitutional authority in enacting a law that prevents the city from charging higher water rates to customers living outside its municipal boundaries.


Manning also upheld the right of legislators to prevent Asheville from using water system revenues for anything other than operating or maintaining the system.

County Manager Wanda Greene applauded the judge’s ruling upholding the passage of Sullivan Acts II and III, which were approved at the urging of Buncombe County commissioners.

“I’m delighted the citizens are going to be protected from paying differential water rates for water,” Greene said. “I think that’s a big benefit to citizens who would have had an increase in their water rates because they don’t live in the city.”


Asheville Citizen-Times


Commentary

I am especially glad to see the part about preventing the City Council from using revenue from the water system for anything other than operating or maintaining the system. This prevents the children on the city council from buying "candy" with the money, such as spending it on the transit system, housing for the homeless, or some such "social engineering" attempt. I believe the majority of that council are dyed in the wool communists as well as children.


I gotta get to more of these meetings!