Utility rate increase and budget passed by Alex City Council

Cliff Williams / The Outlook Alexander City Mayor Woody Baird speaks at Monday’s council meeting where sewer rates were doubled and ways for automatic rate increases for sewer and gas were passed.

Nobody wanted to do it but all members of the Alexander City City Council said sewer increases and cuts in the city’s budget including appropriations was necessary for the city to move forward.

Monday night the city council passed ordinances to double sewer rates starting Jan. 1 and increase by 7% for the next four years going forward. The ordinance also gives the utility supervisor appointed by the council to increase the rates up to 7% in a year. The council also passed a budget that cut appropriations to Alexander City Schools, the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce and events such as Jazz Fest.

Cliff Williams is a staff writer for Tallapoosa Publishers.