The drought is over... outdoor watering restrictions have been phased back... so now get ready for a huge surprise. And folks it's not a good one.

A couple of years back, when the state of Georgia implemented strict watering limits, most water systems around northwest Georgia raised their water rates. There were two factors at play. One is that the state required local water systems to reduce their water usage, so cities and counties decided that by jacking up water rates their water customers would be less inclined to use water unnecessarily.

Second, many water systems issued bonds to pay for upgrades and expansions of their infrastructure. So when water usage went down, they had less water revenues to cover their monthly expense of servicing those bonds.

So now that watering restrictions have been scaled back and we can water our lawns, wash our cars, and fill our swimming pools... guess what? The water rates have not been adjusted back down.

If you use more water than the small amount it takes to bath, wash clothes and flush toilets each month, you're going to have sticker shock when you receive that next water bill.

Now I'm not out wasting water, but it has been dry the past three weeks and my lawn along with the 80 shrubs I planted this spring are thirsty. When that statement arrives this week I can guarantee you that I will be one unhappy camper and I probably won't be alone.

To make it worse, the Cartersville City Council and Mayor just voted to raise your water rates even higher to generate additional revenues to offset anticipated lower tax collections caused by the economic downturn. Instead of making needed cuts to the city budget to cover the shortfall and balance the bokks, the folks who run Cartersville pulled one out of the liberal playbook and jacked up the price of something else, so you couldn't accuse them of raising taxes.

Hey, increase fees, increase water rates, do what you want... but if the revenues end up padding the general budget it's still a tax increase.

So when you get you water bill this coming month... especially if you've done any outdoor watering... you may just want to pick up the phone and call Commissioner Clarence Brown if you live in the county or call the mayor and city council members if you get your water from the City of Cartersville. and let them know they need to drop the water rates back down to pre-drought levels... and in this economy it's only fair.

That's my opinion, we welcome yours... Thanks for listening and I'll see you next Monday... for a complete transcript of this morning's comments, go to NewsTalk1270.com (End of complete transcript of commentary that aired on NewsTalk AM 1270 - WYXC at 7:35 AM Monday, June 29, 2009)