Facing an income shortfall due to declining demand, the Maysville City Council is considering a 40 percent hike in water fees. The current minimum average bill of $14.50 per month would jump to $20.30 under the plan.
Last Thursday, the council continued work on its budgets for 2009 and focused on the city’s water and sewer department where the town projects a $184,000 shortfall without a rate increase.
Stephen Lewis, Lyn Villyard, and Mayor Jerry Baker met earlier with Chip McGaughey from Engineering Management, Inc. to discuss the water and sewer budget. McGaughey said that the billing system shows a reduction in use and that means the same amount of revenue dollars has to be created with less water being sold.
“Based on the [previous] billing information we got,” McGaughey said, “the average use per customer 4,700 gallons per month. According to the billing system now, the average use is 3,800 gallons per month.”
Mayor Baker said the city survives off of the water and sewer income and that he does not favor raising the water rates higher than necessary. To raise the funds needed just with rate increases, the water rates would have to increase 40 percent. McGaughey also offered an option to the council where the blocks between the gallon usages would split further and allow for smaller rate increases which would benefit larger amount consumers while the current structure is more for smaller amount users.
Council member Stephen Lewis stated that he would like to see a blending of the two options.
Mayor Baker suggested taking $110,000 from the city’s reserve fund of $384,000, then slowly adjusting the rates.
But officials said that even if the city covered the entire amount from reserve funds, the problem would only be pushed to another year as fees and supply costs continue to rise.
GENERAL FUND
Although it wasn’t discussed Thursday, Maysville’s general fund budget worksheet projects a tax decrease and only a small increase in spending. The 2009 general fund budget would net $657,400, a little more than the 2008 budget of $635,100. Most of the increase in revenues would come from more electric franchise tax income.
In expenses, both the city’s police department and library would see spending increases. Salary increases are included in the budget draft.
Remember why Jerry ?? think hard ??? You came to my house and said they where responsible for raising rates...not reading meters and lots of other trash. Four years later you have taken 3 steps back by rehiring Sailors and raising rates again.I bought it hook line and sinker...but guess what ?
Meter readings not right yet..Sailors sits on his ever widening behind and the city burns gas picking up convicts to do the work!
As for the Police we have a great chief he just needs 2 good men and that's it.
Maysville has become the epitome of good old boy politics...nice job Mayor Baker
Let's get the facts straight only one employee in water and sewer in the last 2 years of Mr.Presley reign left that was Ralph Sailors who was terminated. The turn over you are referring too happened in Jerry Bakers first term..get it straight Richard !!!!
As for a 1 million gallons off statement I would love to know who in the city is spreading libelous slander ???? Sounds like some former employees might have a lawsuit in the making.. back your statement up Parr.
Mr.Parr states it's are privilege in life to disagree but then calls the above posters pathetic for saying so... which is it Richard ?
Glad I live in Banks county so I don't have to rely on Maysville rescue for help...stay on your side of the tracks Richard where doing just fine with Banks county Fire/EMS.
I don't not support Jerry and his administration and that Mr. Parr is MY right.