City fees going up

While several city departments came away from Tuesday’s committee meetings with nothing removed from their ‘no frills’ budgets, city residents may have something added to their family budget beginning July 1.

Fee increases were recommended and accepted by each committee. Increases include garbage pick-up, building permits, yard sale permits and water rates.

Streets and Sanitation Committee approved the budgets of Public Works, Animal Control, Street Aid, Solid Waste Collection and Disposal, and a 5 percent increase on garbage pick-up.

‘ Garbage pick-up for residential will increase from $10.50 to $11 and commercial containers will go from $17 to $18.

‘Building and Grounds approved the budget for Planning and Zoning, as well as an increase in fees.

‘ All building permits were increased – $1,000 from $18 to $22; $50,000 from $312 to $375; $100,000 from $552 to $663; $150,000 from $732 to $879; $200,000 from $912 to $1,095.

‘ Subdivisions – Preliminary plat over five lots is increased from $100 to $400 and final plat is increased from $100 to $400.

‘ Zoning – Rezoning from $100 to $200; special exception from $50 to $100; variance from $50 to $100; cell tower application $100 to $500; yard sale from $5 to $7.

‘ Document fee – Comprehensive plan from $25 to $50; zoning ordinance from $10 to $20; subdivision $10 to $20; historic guidelines $10 to $20.

Water and Sewer approved the budget for Water Purification and Distribution, as well as Wastewater Collection and Treatment, with a 5-percent increase in fees:

‘ Inside the city limits for residential water and sewer – The cost for 1,000 gallons will increase 37 cents; 2,000 gallons will increase 74 cents; 4,000 gallons will increase $1.47; 6,000 gallons will increase $2.20.

‘ Inside the city for industrial and commercial water and sewer – The cost for 10,000 gallons will increase $4; 30,000 will increase $12; 50,000 will increase $20; 100,000 will increase $35.50; 200,000 will increase $66.50.

‘ Outside residential water – The cost for 1,000 gallons will increase 46 cents; 2,000 gallons will increase 92 cents; 4,000 gallons will increase $1.84; 6,000 gallons will increase $2.76.

‘ Outside industrial and commercial water – The cost for 10,000 will increase $5; 30,000 will increase $15; 50,000 will increase $25; 100,000 will increase $44.50; 200,000 will increase $83.50.

The budgets will be presented to the Finance Committee for its consideration before moving to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. An ordinance must be written for the fee increases and presented to the board.