City wants to set up water, sewer board

By Dale Liesch (Contact) | Dadeville Record

Originally published 09:36 p.m., May 27, 2009
Updated 09:36 p.m., May 27, 2009

The Dadeville City Council passed an ordinance Tuesday to allow for the formation of an independent board to review water and sewer rates. The move was designed to relieve the city of any future financial burden extending from the water and sewer funds.

The council voted unanimously with three members present to pass the ordinance, which would set up an incorporated board to oversee rates on a monthly basis.

“It’ll take the heat off the city a little bit,” Dadeville Mayor Mike Ingram said. “The board would look at revenues on a monthly basis instead of each year and would make adjustments to rates as need be.”

City attorney Robin Reynolds said the ordinance would allow for the board to be made up of five members, each serving a six-year term. The board must consist of one councilmember and Ingram.

“This will set up a separate entity that will be responsible for the operation of the water and sewer systems,” Reynolds said. “It will take that responsibility out from under the city.”

Reynolds said the board would operate like a business. It would raise its own money for improvements as well as hire and fire its own employees. The city believes that would relieve a huge financial burden.

“The board would be responsible for paying its bills and raising its own money,” Ingram said. “The city will no longer have to supplement those two departments.”

The council will select additional board members although no timetable has been set as to when the board might be formed.

In other business, the council is currently researching what steps need to be taken in finding a replacement for councilman Charles Hunt, who resigned his post last week due to health problems. Ingram said Hunt is doing fine, but just wanted to spend some more time at home.

“We appreciate his work on the council,” Ingram said after the meeting. “He has done a lot of good things for Dadeville over the years.”

The council also heard public comments on how to make improvements to their yard debris pick-up service. The comments from citizens ranged anywhere from setting consistent rules as to the size of debris to be picked up to a refusal to pick up certain items.

Yolanda Fears, from the U.S. Census Bureau asked the council for help in spreading the importance of the upcoming 2010 census with folks in the community. Fears said Dadeville was undercounted in 2000 and because of that may have missed out on federal money that is available through census information.

Kelly Cotney, from Shadow Valley Rescue in Alexander City, unveiled her plan for additional help for abused and neglected pets in the community. She said she would like to set up a countywide system to care for these situations.

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