Walhalla budgets are final and include water rate hike

One dissenting voice was heard last night as the Walhalla City Council made final its new budgets for the year starting July 1. Councilman Tjay Bagwell, appearing frustrated, tried to amend the spending measures, in part, to set aside $500 thousand for a water reserve fund, but his motion died for the lack of a second. Walhalla is in the midst of lining up resources to pay for a replacement water plant, and there’s anticipation that the city will authorize a bond sale to generate the construction costs. To help generate what’ll be needed to meet debt payments, Walhalla will add $6 dollars a month to its water bills. Mayor Danny Edwards once again told the council that they are free to try further budget changes, but he urged caution until the bonds are sold. The mayor is concerned about presenting the best possible scenario to the bond company and to those who buy the bonds. The mayor also responded to Councilman David Underwood’s complaint that the city should relax the requirement that a water customer pay his bill within 10 days of the due date. As Underwood put it, customer convenience should be paramount because, without customers, Walhalla can’t sell water. Edwards says during the next budget year, his city should dedicate itself to better customer service.