Two recent developments concerning water have brought a measure of hope to one of the most ardent critics of the City of Cullman’s pricing of the resource.

Dennis Haynes, a member of both the Governmental Utility Services Corporation (GUSC) and the South Cumberland Cooperative District (SCCD), has long maintained that the city’s pricing is unfair. But one action he has wanted is about to happen: the Cullman County Commission is hiring an independent accounting agency to review the manner in which the city is applying its contracted pricing structure for water it sells to Cullman County.

Haynes was also pleased to learn this week that the wholesale rate for water is decreasing from $2.01 per thousand gallons to $1.50 per thousand gallons.

“Certainly that’s great news for everyone in Cullman County, the residents of the City of Cullman and the rural customers,” Haynes said. “I would hope the efforts of the South Cumberland Cooperative District has had something to do with that, but I’m sure that I will never know that. But, historically, the rate has always gone up. So this is good news.”

Haynes also said he is familiar with the work and reputation of the accounting firm, Jackson & Thornton of Montgomery. The firm specializes in tracking the financial affairs of public utilities.

“I really look forward to seeing what the Jackson & Thornton folks find in the audit. That’s a decision the county commission made unilaterally. It was totally unexpected. That’s a very credible accounting firm and I’ve had experience in dealing with them,” Haynes said.

* Please read the full story in The Cullman Times print edition of Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011.

* David Palmer can be reached via email at dpalmer@cullmantimes.com or by calling 256-734-2131, ext. 213.