Pikeville residents won't see rate hikes
By Laura Collins
Published in News on June 3, 2010 1:46 PM
Pikeville town commissioners moved forward with their proposed budget for 2010-11 Tuesday.
The proposed budget doesn't have any tax or utility rate increases, but the monthly water tower maintenance fee will increase from $2 to $3 if the budget is approved for July.
"We basically had the choice of increasing the water tower maintenance fee a dollar or going up on water and sewer a certain percentage," Mayor Johnny Weaver said. "We spend quite a lot of money on the upkeep on the tanks, and an increase of a dollar, everybody pays the same rather than rate (increases) where higher users pay more."
Weaver said the town will need to paint the water tower in a couple years, and with a dollar increase, which should bring in about $6,000 annually, enough money should be saved up.
Weaver added he was pleased the proposed budget doesn't have any tax or rate increases.
"We are very fortunate," he said. "I was thrilled because I've been on the board when we've had to borrow a lot of money. I was thinking the worst, but at this point right now, I'm really pleased with it."
Weaver said the board was able to avoid a large increase in utility rates because it has passed smaller ones over the years.
"In the past, we have taken care of the increases in utilities as they come up, so we weren't hit with any large increases," he said.
Residents will still see higher electric rates come July, however. In response to a rate increase from ElectriCities, the board decided in January to increase the electric rate 7 percent beginning in July.
The budget will be open to the public beginning June 10 and will be posted at town hall. There will be a public hearing on the budget June 22. Weaver said he doesn't expect changes to be made.