Council to Eye Water Rate Bump, Budget

Cartersville councilmen tonight are set to consider an increase in water and sewer rates that would affect residential and commercial customers.

Staffers say the 5 percent hike is needed to balance the 2013 budget, a first reading of which also is on the agenda for council's work session set for 6 p.m. and regular business set for 7 p.m. at .

City water and sewer departments would not be able to maintain existing systems, plan for future expansion or repay debt without the adjustment, according to a Finance recommendation.

The proposal, presumably up for a vote during the council's second meeting of the month set for June 21, equates to the following increases:

Water

Residential

• 6 cents per 100 cubic feet consumed for city residents and
• 12 cents per 100 cubic feet consumed for residents outside the city limits.

Apartments and Commercial

• 10 cents per 100 cubic feet consumed for city residents and
• 15 cents per 100 cubic feet consumed for residents outside the city limits.

Sewer

Residential

• 7 cents per 100 cubic feet discharged by city residents and
• 14 cents per 100 cubic feet discharged by residents outside the city limits.

If approved, the increases would go into effect July 1, when the fiscal year begins.

Rate Hike Included in 2013 Budget Proposal

The $39 million general fund budget proposal on the table would call for nearly $356,000 less spending than last year's plan for operations. The city's overall budget would be $12.6 million or 8 percent less than in fiscal year 2012, mainly due to less capital, operating and other expenditures.

No salary or property tax adjustments are included in the proposed financial plan. Current staffing levels also would continue.

See the full agenda attached to this article for additional budget details.