Town of Gay council approves amended water budget, schedules millage hearing

The Town of Gay council on Aug. 11, 2025 approved an amended water fund budget that corrected several line items and scheduled a public hearing to set the town's 2025 millage rate.

Clerk Sharon Richmond explained the adjustments to the water budget, saying the Mileage line was deleted because those costs are included in Payroll Expense, the Tank Fund expense was corrected to $1,200 per year, funds were added to Office Expense to cover overnight delivery of monthly water samples, Water Test funds were increased "since EPD is now doing all our water testing and the fee is higher," and Maintenance/Mowing funds were increased because of recent heavy rain. After discussion, Council member Askvig moved to accept the amended budget and financial documents; Council member Watts seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Christopher J. Walker said the town had received the documentation required to set the tax millage rate and reported the mill rate figure as 2.030, slightly higher than last year's 2.027. He said the digest submission date is Sept. 1 and the council set a public hearing for Aug. 28 at 6:00 p.m., followed by a called meeting at 6:30 p.m. the same day to set and vote on the rate. The transcript records those dates and times as the council stated them.

The council also discussed the Southern Rivers Energy Round‑Up Grant. Mayor Walker said council members had been emailed the application materials and asked members to consider which grant categories the town might pursue; the item will return on a future agenda for further discussion.

During public comment, resident Willis Everett asked whether the town had "a 'plan' in mind for our recreation area," describing his preference for "an informal place to walk and perhaps relax, away from traffic." No formal recreation plan was presented at the meeting.

The council approved routine meeting procedures at the start of the session: the Consent Agenda and the meeting agenda were each approved by unanimous vote after motions by Council members Askvig and Keith, respectively, with Council member Watts seconding both motions. Council member Askvig moved to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.; Council member Pritchett seconded and the adjournment carried unanimously.

Next steps: the council will hold the public hearing and the called meeting on Aug. 28 as scheduled to set and vote on the millage rate; the transcript indicates the mill rate figure under consideration is 2.030 and the digest must be submitted by Sept. 1.