Today, basic wastewater (sewer) rates for residents living inside the city limits will rise from $11.50/month to $12.50 (for the first 2,000 gallons); and for each additional 1000 gallons over that, there will be a 28 cent increase. Customers outside the city limits will see similar increases. Even with these hikes, the City's Sewer Utility is still expected to finish next year about $176,000 in the red.
[Note: Most Fairhope residents' sewer bills are calculated using monthly water meter readings]
The Mayor's proposed new electric rate hike was apparently included in the FY 2010 budget as well (passed Monday by the Council)-- and may take effect on Jan 1, 2010 (after a "rate study" is done, Council's approval). [Eliminating altogether the vague "fuel adj." charge at the same time--called a "magical thing" by another councilmember--has been proposed as well]
The $325,000 budgeted this year for the "Community Development Fund" ($150K of it to come from the Electric Fund)--donations to church charities, boys clubs, business, environmental and veterans' organizations, et al--comes exclusively from utility revenue (as well as several millions transfered to the general fund to pay salaries/operate the city).
The Mayor justifies utility hikes/profits (vs. "tax"-dollars) being used for such purposes-- because utilities "compete."
(Oct 1st is the first day of the 2010 fiscal (budget) year)
Today, basic wastewater (sewer) rates for residents living inside the city limits will rise from $11.50/month to $12.50 (for the first 2,000 gallons); and for each additional 1000 gallons over that, there will be a 28 cent increase. Customers outside the city limits will see similar increases. Even with these hikes, the City's Sewer Utility is still expected to finish next year about $176,000 in the red.
[Note: Most Fairhope residents' sewer bills are calculated using monthly water meter readings]
The Mayor's proposed new electric rate hike was apparently included in the FY 2010 budget as well (passed Monday by the Council)-- and may take effect on Jan 1, 2010 (after a "rate study" is done, Council's approval). [Eliminating altogether the vague "fuel adj." charge at the same time--called a "magical thing" by another councilmember--has been proposed as well]
The $325,000 budgeted this year for the "Community Development Fund" ($150K of it to come from the Electric Fund)--donations to church charities, boys clubs, business, environmental and veterans' organizations, et al--comes exclusively from utility revenue (as well as several millions transfered to the general fund to pay salaries/operate the city).
The Mayor justifies utility hikes/profits (vs. "tax"-dollars) being used for such purposes-- because utilities "compete."
(Oct 1st is the first day of the 2010 fiscal (budget) year)
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