DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY/dewayne@mcnews.online
MOUNT IDA – The Mount Ida City Council voted to raise rates for waterworks and waste water by three percent during Monday’s meeting. An extension to the airport lease was also discussed and tabled.
The rate increase will mean a difference of $1.18 for the minimum usage customer in the city limits and 75 cents for customers outside the city limits.
The rate increase affects the first 1,000 gallons of water used, sewer rates for the first 1,000 gallons, and the residential trash rate. There is also a 10 cent increase in the health department fee.
The rate increase does not affect additional water used over the minimum 1,000 gallons. Water connection fees, permits and deposits will also remain the same.
There was discussion to raise the rates two percent and then revisit the issue later in the year, but the three percent increase passed by a 5-1 vote with Will Brakefield voting no.
The three percent increase will not go into effect until after a public meeting can be held as required by law for an increase in waste water rates. The public meeting has been set for February 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Mayor Jo Childress presented the alderpersons with a request to increase the lease agreement at the airport by 10 years. Currently the city has a lease with Turnage Farms to manage Bierce Airport. The contract in effect will end in 2047.
Childress explained that the original 40 year lease was signed in 2007. Leon Turnage, who currently holds the lease through Turnage Farms, Inc., has requested the 10 year extension. The Mayor stated that Turnage’s health is in decline and he is turning operations over to his son. She added that his son has already taken on added responsibility at the airport.
Some of the alderpersons didn’t see why they needed to add 10 years on a lease that still has 27 years left before expiring. Will Brakefield said he would like to hear from Turnage’s son to see if he plans to continue as his father has at the airport.
The vote to extend ended in a 3-3 tie. In lieu of a tie breaking vote, Mayor Childress chose to table the request until a time when Leon Turnage’s son could speak to the council members.
In other business:
Mayor Childress reported that they had received their 2018 audit and had no finding against the city.
Council members voted to increase Barry Craw’s gas allowance from $50 per month to $100 per month. Craw is the Mount Ida VFD Fire Chief.
Council members approved the 2020 waterworks and waste water budgets.
Council members approved the final 2019 budget for the city accounts.
