June 19, 2008

Now down to business, I would like to first to thank Bill Andrew, the City Manager, and Lou Camiscioni, the Assistant City Clerk, as well as the rest of the city council for balancing the water, sewer, and solid waste funds that I fully support, and, I might add, they are all balanced for the first time in awhile. However, I could not support the water or sewer rates because of one reason – discrimination.

It appears that the majority of the council, less Mr. Lutz and myself, thought there should be different rates based on how long you have live inside the city limits of Flowery Branch. As Mr. Lutz stated, and was reported in the Gainesville Times and at Access North Ga., we both cannot understand how someone who moved into Flowery Branch prior to June 2007, and may live right next door to someone who moved in after June 2007, are paying different rates. The second largest user of water on a master meter, as reported, will receive rates at the Established Residential Water Users, at a base rate, up to 4,500, gallons of $19.90, and in tier 2, from 4,501 – 7,500 gallons at a rate of $4.35 per 1,000 gallons, and in tier 3, from 7,501 and over at a rate of $5.80 per 1,000 gallons compared to the New Residential Water Users, at a base rate, up to 4,500, gallons of $24.89, and in tier 2, from 4,501 – 7,500 gallons at a rate of $5.60 per 1,000 gallons, and in tier 3, from 7,501 and over at a rate of $7.46 per 1,000 gallons.

Different rates for people who live in the city limits based on a set time period. I do not understand this philosophy at all.