PERRY, Ga. — Developers planning new construction in Perry will face a $2,500 sewer connection fee starting in January, after the City Council approved it Tuesday.

A one-time payment is required to connect to the city sewers. It is part of a three-year plan to fund the city's new wastewater treatment plant, set to open in 2026 at a cost of $50 million.

Perry's water rates rose 7% this year.

Debbie Smith, who has lived in Perry for 69 years, said her retirement no longer covers rising bills.

"We can't afford it. We just can't afford it," Smith said. "I'm still having to work part-time to pay my city of Perry bills and my taxes. It's just crazy."

Smith supports making new developments pay their share.

"You're building and building and building, charge the developers, leave the citize

See Full Page