Conversation from the earlier budget workshop continued at Monday’s regular city council meeting regarding a response by the city to citizens voting down the proposed one percent tax. Mayor Butch Berry told council Finance Director Lonnie Clark would produce a list of options showing what increases would be necessary to meet certain requirements, but the options would simply meet obligations, not improve water lines. He also mentioned that instead of building a new Public Works building, he was considering using the funds at the sewer plant where there would be a return on the investment in the form of cost savings down the road.
Berry also mentioned trying again to get a tax passed, maybe three-fourths or five-eighths of a cent.
Clark stated if the city had the equipment to locate water leaks and fix them, the city would not need to buy as much water. Berry said there are satellite images that reveal cold and hot spots on the earth, and a water leak would be a cold spot on the ground. “It costs money to save money,” Berry said.
Berry said raising rates would provide some money for infrastructure repairs, but not the amount needed. He said Clark would bring suggestions to council before the budget is settled.