According to a member of the City Council, Mayor Kant raised some customers' natural gas rates last month--by about about 20%.
City Ordinance 21.61.10 allows the Mayor to do so (unilaterally) under certain circumstances (without informing the Council or general public)--including "the annual revenue requirements of the City of Fairhope" (Gas Cost Adjustment--GCA).
It was reported earlier the city has been operating significantly in the red for the first quarter (Oct.-Jan.) of the fiscal year (lower than projected revenue/higher expenses).
In statements made last summer, citing what he called improving economic conditions--the Mayor declared the recession to be "over in Fairhope."
According to a member of the City Council, Mayor Kant raised some customers' natural gas rates last month--by about about 20%.
City Ordinance 21.61.10 allows the Mayor to do so (unilaterally) under certain circumstances (without informing the Council or general public)--including "the annual revenue requirements of the City of Fairhope" (Gas Cost Adjustment--GCA).
It was reported earlier the city has been operating significantly in the red for the first quarter (Oct.-Jan.) of the fiscal year (lower than projected revenue/higher expenses).
In statements made last summer, citing what he called improving economic conditions--the Mayor declared the recession to be "over in Fairhope."