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Here’s the latest on the Bowdon vs. Ranburne water issue. Recall that over the summer, the city of Ranburne allegedly broke a brand new water purchasing contract with the city of Bowdon and instead now purchases water from Randolph County. This is causing some budgetary issues in Bowdon as the 2011-2012 budget included water plant improvements dependent upon revnues from the water purchasing contract.
Bowdon received a letter from Ranburne city officials requesting a $1,000 fee up front for an open records request, and a $100 per hour rate for research on the Ranburne Water Authority’s Decision. Bowdon city Mayor Jim Watts says the water that Randolph is choosing to use at this time “is originally purchased from a spring in Anniston, Alabama.” He says, “The water is then sold to Cleburne county… who sells it to Randolph county. Then Randolph County sells it back to Ranburne.” Watts says, “That doesn’t seem to be cost-effective to me. He concludes, “If they have a fire, we’ll give them water. But, it will be at the maximum rate we can charge.”
Mayor Watts says he would like the citizens of Ranburne to know that prior to the breaking of the contract, “They were getting quality water for the lowest price due to the friendship that Bowdon and Rranburne have had… without a contract these last 30 or so years.”
WLBB has left messages for the Ranburne Water Authority on two occassions and is not aware of a return call.