The City Council on Tuesday voted 6-3 to authorize intervention in the pending rate increase filed by Tennessee-American Water Company.
The water company, after getting a 14.76 percent rate increase last year, is asking for a 24.92 percent hike.
The resolution says, "Such a large increase will adversely affect all of the businesses and citizens of this community and may make this community less competitive with respect to economic development opportunities.
Opposed were council members Pam Ladd, Andrae McGary and Deborah Scott.
Councilwoman Scott inquired about the cost of the intervention.
Councilman McGary asked about the possibility of the city and the water company sitting down and reaching a compromise rather than building up a large expense fighting the rate hike.
A water company official said the company was willing to sit down and talk and had been providing the city with copies of documents it has filed.