Valdese departments see increase fees, including water and sewer
The proposed water rates in Valdese, with a 1.75 multiplier built into the budget for customers living outside town limits. The residential rate for Valdese residents could change as the town runs numbers regarding what an increase would look like.
The proposed sewer rates in Valdese, with a 30% increase built into the budget.
The Valdese proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year reflects a new set of increased fees across the board, such as Old Rock School rentals, water and sewer rates, planning, and the fire department.
The council returned on Monday, May 12, for its second budget workshop after having time to consider the budget in mid-April. The month between meetings gave the members more time to ponder the implications of the budget — a new town manager was also hired.
The second draft of the proposed budget, balanced at $7.98 million, now includes the $165,000 salary and related expenses for newly hired Todd Herms. The proposal enables the town to put $2,990 into its general fund. Councilman Glenn Harvey did express concern about the “very thin contribution” that could be easily spent.
To balance the budget, the following department items were removed:
- Recreation center fitness equipment ($10,000)
- HVAC for men’s locker room ($18,000)
- Ceiling installation ($17,000)
Here are the takeaways from the newest version of the proposed budget.
FEE CHANGES
The rental spaces in the Old Rock School have increased fees, ranging from $25 to $300. The proposed fee schedule also includes extra auditorium fees such as use of additional dressing rooms, the projector screen, table rentals, and special requests. The fees are the same regardless of whether the renter is a for-profit or nonprofit organization.
“We’re not differentiating between those service organizations that our citizens participate in and benefit from, nonprofit organizations or profit-making organizations, that come in to make a profit by renting our facility. My question is (to council), should we have more of a differential there? Should we charge these profit-making organizations more?” Harvey posed.
Councilwoman Rexanna Lowman said she was in favor of having nonprofit organizations pay less.
Harvey also raised concerns over the liability of renting spaces without a contract. CFO/Assistant Town Manager Bo Weichel said that there is an agreement form but said they would consult Town Attorney Tim Swanson about inputting legal terms into the agreement.
In the public works department, renting a dumpster for construction debris is now $100 per load versus the previous $75 fee.
Looking at the planning department, around 20 permitting and review fees have been written into the budget. Currently, the town implements three permitting fees.
“We looked at some other towns, we were in the minority on how much and what items we charge for. We looked at this and revamped our fee schedule for planning because there’s a lot of planning involved with it and costs a lot of time,” Weichel said.
Harvey commented that these fees could be a deterrent for developers, especially for residential projects. Developers already complain about the planning office being open only one day a week.
The town has been without a planner since Larry Johnson retired last November. Since that time, Valdese has been contracting with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments for a fill-in planner until the town finds a full-time planning director.
“To lay these kinds of costs on somebody that wants to come in and develop a subdivision that’s going to result in more million-dollar taxable property, I think it is not in the best interest of economic development for the town,” Harvey said.
Lowman asked Herms for his opinion, and he said the fees were standard practice.
“In my experience, these are pretty commonplace, and in certain circumstances, some developers have asked for us to waive the fees, which would come back to the council,” Herms said.
The fire department has proposed increased inspection fees along with civil penalties. Mayor Charlie Watts recommended increasing the penalty for driving over a fire hose ($250) since hoses are expensive to replace.
Valdese Parks and Recreation Community Center fees are proposed to remain the same to stay competitive with neighboring centers.
UTILITY RATES
In the utility fund, the water rates have a 1.75 multiplier (5% increase) built into the budget for customers outside town limits, while sewer rates for all customers received a 30% increase. Weichel initially proposed no water rate increase for customers living inside town limits (inside water customers).
Council members suggested raising the rates for inside water customers, who did not see a fee increase last year.
Weichel explained that generating more revenue would reduce the amount the town needs to borrow for capital improvements to its aging water and sewer infrastructure. Even with the rate increase, Valdese remains among the more affordable providers compared to neighboring systems.
“The public needs to understand that we’re not trying to make a profit, but to provide clean water and maintain our system, it takes money,” Watts said.
Saydie Bean is the Valdese and courts reporter. She may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2011, or saydie@thepaper.media.
