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Residents press board for details as city advances $8.50 technology fee on first reading
Summary
At a June 15 special meeting, residents raised transparency concerns about a proposed $8.50 'Technology Fee' for water billed over 12 years, questioned use of a $15 sewer flushing fee, and urged the board to explore grants instead of immediate rate increases. The ordinance passed first reading 6-0.
Residents urged clearer answers from the Board of Mayor & Aldermen during a public hearing on Ordinance 26-06, a new 'Technology Fee' the board moved on first reading at its June 15 special called meeting.
Brigitte Pauly asked for the underlying project cost, whether a competitive bid process had been used, and how much revenue the $8.50 charge would generate over the proposed 12-year period. Pauly said she had requested the same information previously and was referred to the budget book, and told the board she did not feel the city had been transparent.
Other commenters raised related utility concerns. Tracy Watson said she did not pay fees when her gas meter was replaced; Patrick Mockmore recommended pursuing grants for water and sewer pump work rather than immediately passing costs to ratepayers. Edward Maglero described being told by staff that he had a "ghost leak," but said a plumber found no leak and that two months of bills were identical, which he described as a duplicate-billing issue; Maglero identified himself in the minutes as a disabled veteran and said higher fees and taxes were making retirement unaffordable. Jean Clark questioned why the $15 sewer fee for flushing wipes is the same regardless of household size and asked for consumer reports for 2024 and 2025 to be posted online. Jamie Blair explicitly asked the board to vote no on a roughly 25% tax increase until the board could "figure everything else out first," according to the minutes.
The board voted 6-0 to move Ordinance 26-06 forward on first reading; the minutes do not record a staff response to residents’ requests for cost and revenue detail. The item will return for further readings as required by ordinance procedure.
