Clay’s fiscal year 2023-34 budget received its first reading during last Tuesday’s regular meeting of city council. The spending measure reflects the revenue estimated from the new utility rates passed in April.
The new charges for water, sewer, and gas will bring in a projected $962,500. The city had been losing nearly $100,000 annually on rates that had not been adjusted in a decade.
The total budget estimate is $2,035,370, and includes $636,700 earmarked for the general fund.
The council included a $1 per hour pay raise for each employee. The council looked at three options, also including a 50 cent per hour raise or not adjustment at all.
Council Member Rocky Williams, who voted against the budget with the raise, said he was concerned with how the timing looked.
“I don’t want it to look like we raised utility rates just to do pay raises,” he said.
Council Member Ronnie Pride agreed, adding, “You’re right, it doesn’t look good.”
Pride also voted nay on the budget ordinance.
Council Member Heath Stone said he could see how the timing may be questioned by some, but pointed out that one had nothing to do with the other.
“I don’t want bad timing to stand in the way if raises,” he said. “The $1 difference isn’t a drastic change.”
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City Clerk Christy Freeman said thee utility fund pays for three-and-a-half employees. She added that the raise adds $9,500 to the account for the fiscal year.
The account will also be affected by new tap fees, which were passed with a second reading during the session.
While the sewer fee remains the same at $600, new customers will be billed $1,300 for gas taps and $650 for water. The council also voted to amend the ordinance to include a statement that any additional charges over the fees will be billed to the customer. Unpaid bills after 30 days can be subject to disconnection until the account is settled.
The council also discussed a recommendation from the tourism board to amended the tourism tax ordinance to address food trucks.
While the law already includes “mobile” eateries, the city has been paid only once in the time the tax has been on the books.
The board suggested fees of $100 for a year, $50 for six months, or $25 for three days. The change would not affect Clay Days participants.
Freeman told the council that the only punishment for not paying would be for the city to tell the owner not to return.
“I don’t think it’s fair to restaurants to not charge (food trucks) something,” Mayor Jackie Edens said.
He concluded the brief discussion by stating he believed the city needed to pursue the taxes rather than institute the fee.
The council also approved the compensation ordinance for employee payments, with Williams noting nay.