During a recent government meeting, citizens voiced their concerns regarding financial practices and local governance. The session began with a public forum, allowing residents to address issues outside of the scheduled public hearing.

Patrick Kane, a resident of Rockport, raised significant concerns about the city's financial management, specifically regarding payments in lieu of taxes and franchise fees, which he noted total nearly $900,000. Kane highlighted a statement from city officials indicating that these fees are intended to reimburse the general fund for services provided to the utility system. He argued that the city is effectively \"double dipping\" by charging both franchise fees and administrative support costs, which amount to $633,000. Kane questioned the rationale behind increasing utility rates, citing projected revenue of $2.3 million based on high return rates for water and wastewater services. He urged the council to reconsider its financial strategies and questioned when the city would stop increasing costs for residents.

Following Kane, Kate Putz, another resident, expressed her desire for more information regarding a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) discussed in previous meetings. Putz indicated that she had questions that had not been addressed in earlier discussions, signaling ongoing community engagement and concern over local development issues.

The meeting underscored a growing dialogue among residents about fiscal responsibility and transparency in local government, as citizens seek clarity on how financial decisions impact their community.