Bonifay beginning budget process: Utility increases have second reading next Monday night

BONIFAY – Monday night was, in the words of Bonifay Mayor Eddie Sims, ”wish night.”

“It’s the night where you say what you wish to find in the budget,” Sims said.

It was also one of the first serious discussions of the Fiscal Year 2008-09 budget. Preliminary discussions centered around what council members and department heads want in the next budget, the next hearing (time and date to be established) will start looking at what can be in the next budget.

City Clerk Jeri Gibson said that one move that would affect the budget is the planned increase in water, sewer and garbage rates. The Finance Committee recommended the increases, and Ordinance No. 357 will have its second reading and will be up for action at the regular council meeting at 6 p.m. Monday night. The ordinance contains the following new monthly rates:

Water
Residential within city limits: $10 per 2,000 gallons of less
Residential outside city limits: $14.75 per 2,000 gallons or less
Commercial within city limits: $15.50 per 2,000 gallons or less
Additional charge of $2 per 1,000 gallons for additional usage over and above 2,000 gallons

Sewer
Residential within city limits: $22 per 5,000 gallons or less
Residential outside city limits: $30 per 5,000 gallons or less
Commercial within city limits: $32 per 5,000 gallons or less
Commercial outside city limits: $32.80 per 5,000 gallons or less

Garbage
Residential within city limits: $20
Residential outside city limits: $23.33
Commercial within city limits: $32.74
Commercial outside city limits: $37.81

Each rate would be increased three percent of the current rate as of Oct. 1 each year beginning Oct. 1, 2009.