The Decatur Board of Aldermen at their Aug. 15 budget hearing reviewed the first draft of the proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget and discussed including a slight raise in garbage collections rates for residents.
Mayor David Marshall and the board proposed to raise the monthly garbage collection rate from $15 to $17.50 per month for all customers. The board also discussed raising the charge for each 1,000 gallons of water used over the 2,000-gallon minimum to $3.50.
The board said that the town has is barely breaking even on water revenue and that Waste Pro, who is contracted to collect garbage for the town, can increase its rates at any time during its five-year contract, meaning the town could end up operating the water department at a loss.
The proposed budget will also include an $800 increase for the disbursement to the Kemper-Newton County Regional Library System.
After looking at the proposed budget, newly elected Ward 5 Aldermen Phil Sutphin said he was concerned that the town was projected to continue spending out of its general fund balance.
“Slowly and over time that’s going to catch up with us. I’ve done that before once or twice,” Sutphin. “I didn’t like to do it, but I managed to get away with it. It’s a dangerous thing, and if we don’t make some discussion towards that, future boards are going to be in a really tough budget situation.”
The board must approve the budget by Sept. 15 and is expected to approve the budget at its Sept. 5 meeting.
Ward 2 Alderman Mark Buntyn also announced that this year’s Treat Street, sponsored by the Greater-Decatur Chamber of Commerce, will be on Halloween night, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m.
