Questions about Walhalla’s July utility bills

The latest set of Walhalla customers’ bills covering monthly water and sewer use contain additional information, but from what 101.7/WGOG NEWS has been told some of the July bills are higher, some lower.  Brandon Burton, city administrator and Walhalla representative to the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority, explains, “The rates on the bills were enacted by OJRSA board on June 5, 2023.  The City of Walhalla opted to pass those rates on directly to the customer in addition to the small fee the city charges.  That is why there are multiple charge lines on the bill.  This way everyone can see exactly where each part of their bill goes.  COW (City of Walhalla) collects the money and sends it to OJRSA.  It is easier on billing and our financial side to do that instead of billing one and having to separate it out in our accounting.”  Burton added this:  “The OJRSA rates are for treatment, system operations and maintenance, and capital improvement.  The COW (City of Walhalla) rates are for system maintenance and capital improvement on the Walhalla maintained lines.”