Might Seneca meet Pioneer halfway?

Seneca’s new contract proposal, for now, is unacceptable to Pioneer Rural Water. After a Pioneer board meeting yesterday, General Manager Terry Pruitt said his board will ask Seneca to lower by one-half the base charge for backup connection, from a proposed $4,600 dollars a month to $2,300 dollars. Pioneer is in the process of finishing work on a facility to make and sell its own water, but is looking to Seneca to be its backup supplier. Pruitt said, “Also, requested is that any increases be limited to 1% annually and the terms of the contract be reduced from 20 years to five years since there was no way to terminate the contract prior to the 20 years.” There are indications that a special meeting of Seneca’s leaders will take place to react to Pioneer’s position.