A new study shows Clinton isn't getting back millions of dollars from its sewer bills.
Leaving few options to pay for new sewer construction.
It's pushing Clinton toward another rate hike in the sewer fees, just a few months after those fees went up 20 percent.
16 percent of Clinton residents did not pay their sewer bill.
That adds up to the 2.1 million dollars.
So now the city has to find a better way to collect its money
Or increase, not just those delinquent citizens bills, but everybody's bill by a total of 40 percent.
An average bill is 50 bucks a month that would go up to 90 dollars.
And the city has a two point one million dollar project to pay for right now.
But residents say their pockets are nearly empty.
Beverly Edwards says, "My mom always said if you got a roof over your head and food to eat, God will take care of you."
A roof over Edward's head could be harder to afford. She lives on 698 dollars a month from Social Security. And says a 40 percent sewer rate hike could force her to move.
"I was talking about moving in with her, my caretaker, I don't know, I can't do things by myself," says Edwards.
Her caretaker Mary Doyle is helping Edward's get back home from the food pantry. And says budgets are tight for many in this city.
"People got to eat and people got to get back and forth to work those are things are priorities probably than not being able to pay your sewer bill," says Doyle.
She says bills are a part of life. But she doesn't think Clinton residents are skipping out on paying by choice.
"I don't think anybody could afford increases in bills, right now, cause, times are hard right now," says Doyle.
One of the stores they walk past is C. J.'s beauty supply. Where Renda Jackson works three days a week. She's earning her G.E.D. And dreams of becoming a forensic scientist. But she uses her paycheck to help pay the bills under her grandma's roof.
"We all chip in, my brother also," says Jackson.
She says it seems like every bill only goes higher.
"They get paid, but it takes a lot to get 'em paid."
Leaving her family with few options.
"There's really nothing to cut back on, just try harder, work harder, get another job," says Jackson.
Clinton city leaders hope they can find two point one million dollars somewhere else. But with the sewer bills coming in. Budgets will be tighter for everyone.
The council will discuss the potential rate hike in two weeks.
They are going after people paying their sewer bills late.
But are struggling to find a way to decrease the number of people who aren't paying.
