Three takeaways from Pioneer’s new budget

The manager of Pioneer Rural Water told his board this afternoon he has three “takeaways” from the new budget that is being developed for a new year of water district operations. Terry Pruitt’s first takeaway is there should be enough income realized to grant pay raises to the employees at the Oakway-based operation. Pruitt says, in year one of Pioneer’s treatment plant, there should be enough money to fund all operations—and do it without resorting to a retail rate increase. Pioneer officials say their new plant is making water, but DHEC approvals are still needed before the water is ready to be retailed.