Montgomery council declines to waive tap fees for First Baptist Church after request for relief

Representatives of Montgomery First Baptist Church asked the City Council on Sept. 24 for relief from water system tap fees after a foyer expansion and a required fire-suppression connection created an additional tap requirement.

Pastor Chris (identified in the public record) said the congregation raised roughly $300,000 to add a foyer and to bring its fire-suppression system up to code, but that attaching a new tap for the suppression system carried a substantial cost. The church's representative told the council the installation estimate was about $75,100 and a $900 plan review fee also applied; by ordinance the city applies a 200% markup to the tap, which the church said would significantly reduce funds the congregation uses for community programs.

A church advocate told council members the extra fee would reduce outreach capacity, including feeding local Title I families and supporting other community ministries. "This extra 200% is not going to take money away from bonuses and salaries," the advocate said, "it's going to take money away from what we are actually already doing in the community."

A council member noted that the council had recently denied a similar request from the local school district and recommended consistent treatment. The council voted on a motion to take no action on the church's request; the motion carried on a voice vote and no fee relief was granted.

Council did not provide additional relief or alternatives at the meeting; the record indicates the council's decision was based on budget constraints and fairness in treating similar requests consistently.