Costing more to operate a small Oconee town

Rising costs are pinching West Union.  Town Council last night raised the cost of a water tap to $1,500.  Residential garbage pickup goes up from $10,50 to $12 dollars; commercial garbage pickups will cost $15 dollars.  Mayor Linda Oliver says of the costs to run a town of 350 population:  “It’s terrible.  Everything’s going sky high.”  Oliver expects that when a new utility contract with neighboring Walhalla, her town will be faced with raising its water and sewer rates.