“Have ya’ll considered letting Mary Jean have her water system back?” asked Westwood Utility customer, Brownie Utley, during the first of two Public Hearings on the proposed increase on utility base rate increase, held Tuesday, August 27, 2019.
Earlier in August, Fairfield City Council approved a proposed increase that constitutes a $5 increase for residents inside the city limits, and a $10 increase for customers outside the city limits (Westwood Utility), and a $10 increase for commercial customers.
This is an increase in the base rate only. Price per gallon usage is not affected in the proposed price increase.
“[The City] knew they couldn’t afford it,” continued Utley. “They wanted to annex, and that did work. The next thing they’re going to want to go up on is our gallon use.”
“We are not proposing that now, at this time,” stated City Administrator Nate Smith.
“I know you’re not, but a blind man can see that coming,” said Utley.
Other concerns brought by utlity customers included the current water rationing, the physical separation between Westwood Utility and City of Fairfield water, and the need for better communication.
Westwood Utility customer, Mark Broussard (above), read a statement to remind Council members that the City had agreed in 2016, under oath, not to rate water rates for Westwood customers when they purchased the utility corporation from Mary Jean and John Alford.
A second Public Hearing is Tuesday, September 10, 2019.
City Council is expected to address the proposed rate increase on Tuesday, September 24, 2019.
A Public Hearing was also held last week on the proposed tax rate increase. There were no comments from attendees for this item.
Other business addressed during this meeting:
–Fairfield resident Jerald Calame informed Council members of flood damage experienced during heavy rains when sewer water backed up into his home.
According to Public Works Director Clyde Woods, smoke tests revealed no leaks, visual inspection showed no debris, and TCEQ cleared the City of any fault.
City Administrator Nate Smith further informed Council that the City’s insurance denied Mr. Calame’s claim.
–Four bids for the Oak Street Project were opened earlier that day. These will be presented to Council once the City Engineer has looked them over to verify they meet project requirements.
When asked, City Administrator Smith assured Council that closing dates for the bids would not interfere with the Special Called Election on November 5th for the issuance of a Certificate of Obligation that would fund this (and other) project, if the voters choose to authorize the City to do so.
–Budget was officially approved for the Fairfield Economic Development Corporation for the 2019-20 Fiscal Year.
–Up to $18,000 was approved for purchasing new Christmas decorations, including banners and life-sized nativity figures of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. These monies will be taken from Hotel / Motel funds.
Council may address new lighting fixtures at another time.
–No Action was taken following a closed Executive Session to consider a request by the City’s Municipal Clerk, Donna Bulger.
