ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) — Community members filled the Siam Utility District’s office Monday to voice concerns about a water rate increase and other issues.

The minimum rate for water service was increased to $65 at the beginning of June.

Customers also voiced concerns about water breaks and discrepancies in their water meter readings.

Jeff Blanton, who has been on the utility district’s board for one month, says board members are working to get to the bottom of such problems.

“I get the frustrations from the people who were here,” Blanton said. “What I would encourage people to do is to, is to keep airing those. We’re working with the state, we’re working with our community partners and striving for more transparency so people will know exactly what’s happening and why it’s happening.”

Blanton said a new board member was nominated at Monday’s meeting, and he hopes having a full board will help matters.

“These problems have been long-term, and so it will take a little while to get everything rectified,” he said.

Blanton said the board is working to hire a “a really good, competent office manager.”