Aug. 1, 2012 — Last Tuesday’s meeting of the Grayson City Council was largely dominated by discussion of utility-related issues.
Gerald Haney of the Grayson Utility Commission addressed several items of business regarding ongoing problems with the sewer system, as well as utility fees.
Council adopted a resolution to enter into an agreement with the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority for a loan to finance sewer system upgrades and improvements.
After lengthy deliberation, Council also voted to amend existing ordinances that establish a sewage service surcharge for customers living outside the city limits, lowering the fee from $16 to $5.
Out-of-town customers also pay a surcharge of approximately $4.75 for water service.
The amended ordinance will require an approved first and second reading before taking effect. The first reading has yet to be scheduled.
Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would increase fees for returned checks to $50, bringing it in line with reconnect fees.
The revised ordinance also provides for a mandatory matching increase of the returned check fee should the reconnect fee ever increase.
“People are coming in on shutoff day and writing bad checks because it’s cheaper than paying the reconnect fee,” Haney said when asked about increasing the returned check fee.
A second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for next month’s regular meeting.
In other business, Council approved a $149,867 budget for the Grayson Tourism Commission for the 2012-2013 fiscal year and set an Aug. 10 date for an open house for the new police station, located on the corner of 3rd Street and Robert and Mary Street.
The next regular meeting of Grayson City Council is Aug. 14 at 5 p.m.
Joe Lewis can be reached at jlewis@journal-times.com or by telephone at 286-4201.
