Callaway looks to ease burden on water costs

CALLAWAY – Callaway Commission Tuesday will finalize an ordinance and two resolutions relating to water rates and fees.

There is a final reading of an ordinance that establishes regulations for seasonal residents. Residents would be allowed a temporary shut off of water and sewer between four and eight months. They are still charged the monthly base rates of $11.37 for water and $32.69 for sewer plus reconnect and disconnect fees of $15 each.

One resolution changes what was a set annual percentage into an increase complying with Bay County increases in water charges. The resolution also increases penalties for meter tampering up to $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $300 for the third.

Anolther resolution would wave fees for previously sewer-only residents connecting to the city’s water system. The fees include the $140 connection fee, the $120 meter set fee and $250 residential account deposit.

“These customers were notified to establish water connection to the Callaway Code of Ordinances by 365 days,” City Manager Michael Fuller wrote for the agenda item. “Nearly all the customers want to connect to the city’s water system but cannot afford the connection.”

Although there are only seven items on the agenda for Tuesday, one of them is from Commissioner Pamn Henderson regarding the recent length of meetings. The last commission meeting on Aug. 12 went past 10 p.m. and the budget meeting on Aug.19 lasted five hours. Henderson proposes limiting public comment to 3 minutes, changing a recent resolution which increased the time limit to 5 minutes, and allowing commissioners three agenda items per meeting.

“It strikes me, at a certain point, the meetings are unproductive, as people are more concerned with getting the meeting over than with the issues at hand,” Henderson wrote for the agenda item.

Callway Commission meets 6 p.m. Tuesday at 500 Calllaway Park Way.