Bardstown council approves rate hikes on utilities, services; OKs 2011-12 budget
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette
Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 11 a.m. – Customers of the City of Bardstown’s cable TV, water, sewer or garbage services will see their bills increase in the near future.
City CFO Mike Abell answers a question during the council meeting Tuesday, June 28, 2011.
The Bardstown City Council gave final approval to requested rate increases at its meeting Tuesday, June 28th. The council and staff had discussed the rate hikes in detail at earlier meetings and working sessions.
CABLE TV. Basic cable TV subscribers who live in the county will see a $2 increase in their bill ($17.20 to $19.20). The basic cable rate for city residents will remain at $14.45.
The cost of expanded basic cable TV (channels 23-74 on the city cable system) will increase $3 per month for all subscribers regardless of location. The cost to reconnect service after a disconnection for nonpayment will increase from $20 to $25 for city residents, and from $28 to $40 for county residents.
The rate hike was approved 5-1, with Councilman Bobby Simpson voting against the measure.
GARBAGE. The council voted 6-0 to approve an ordinance to raise the monthly household garbage fee by 80 cents, going from $13.25 to $14.05. Rates for commercial customers will increase by roughly the same percentage.
WATER. The minimum monthly bill for the first 2,000 gallons of water will increase $1, from $9.49 to $10.49 for city customers. County water customers will see their minimum water bill increase from $13.75 to $15.37. The council voted 6-0 to approve the increase. The increase will go into effect on July 15, 2011.
SEWER. Sewer customers in the city limits will see their minimum monthly bill increase $2.25, from $15 to $17.25. Customers outside the city limits will see their minimum monthly bill increase $3.34, from $15.60 to $18.94. The rate hike will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2011.
The council voted 6-0 to approve the measure.
2011-12 CITY BUDGET. The final approval of the city’s 2011-12 budget followed the contentious debate and votes regarding changes to the city’s occupational tax (click here to read that story). Without discussion, the council voted 5-1 to approve the budget with Bobby Simpson casting a vote against it. The budget is effective July 1, 2011.
In other business, the council:
- heard Mayor Bill Sheckles report that the city would receive an $83,000 grant to put toward its existing recycling program.
- heard from Woodlawn Springs resident Joe Cissell, who detailed the problems he has had with his homeowner’s association. He told the council he would welcome any action they could take to annex his subdivision.
- received updates from city engineering staff on water line and sewer line projects, and;
- heard comments from Councilmen Tommy Reed expressing his appreciation for the compromise the council agreed to on the occupational tax vote.
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