A GOOD COMPROMISE ON WATER RATES

Sometimes it is the little things that make the biggest difference.

The Cape Girardeau City Council backed down from a 5 percent proposed increase in city water rates at its last meeting. A 3 percent increase was approved instead. It is a reasonable compromise that should earn the City Council kudos from citizens.

The savings in terms of actually dollars is meager. But this was a matter of principle more than money.

Last fall, Cape Girardeans roundly approved a significant bond issue and sales tax increase for city water improvements, and this already-counted-on rate increase was not mentioned during the campaign. The 5 percent increase had already been figured in the city budget approved in June. That is a practice that the council would also do well to abandon in future budgets.

This public relations move on water rates should serve both the council and the city in keeping trust with the voters.