Described in drastic terms, utility hikes tentatively OK’d

The mayor and council in Walhalla followed the call of a first-month colleague last night and gave tentative approval to water and sewer retail rate increases that the new councilman, Grant Keehn, described as drastic.  But, in Keehn’s estimation, they are a must if the city is going to be financially strong.  The overriding driving force in what could be as much as a 40% increase on the bills of Walhalla sewer users is the fact that the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority last week approved a 20% increase to Walhalla and the other municipal members to the cost of wastewater treatment.  And, JRSA officials have warned, there could be another 20% increase by the start of the summer.  Mayor Danny Edwards and Councilman Danny Woodward voted no.  Edwards explained he’s not sure 40% is warranted and wants to wait until the second and final reading next month of the budget changes.  Keehn says there other factors forcing to make local sewer service self-paying instead of allowing the service to run deficits year after year.  The city, he says, is need of raising the pay of its water service personnel and hiring additional meter readers.  The councilman fears that Walhalla’s licensed water plant operators could bolt for higher-paying jobs nearby.