Funkstown plan includes trash, sewer rate increases

June 12, 2000|By KIMBERLY YAKOWSKI

FUNKSTOWN -Increases in garbage and sewer rates are included in a proposed fiscal 2001 budget presented to Town Council Monday night.

The proposed spending plan lists total revenues of $215,426 and expenses of $181,069.

Town Clerk Brenda Haynes told council members the general fund revenue must be increased because the "financial position of the water and sewer funds are eroding."

Under her proposal, the quarterly $15 charge per unit for garbage collection would increase to $20 per unit per quarter.

Haynes said an increase of $22 would put the town on better financial footing but she included the more conservative amount in the budget proposal at the request of Mayor Robert Kline.

The proposed water fund budget includes an increase in late fees and reconnection fees.

The current 3 percent late fee would increase to 6 percent and the $25 reconnection fee to have service restored would go to $40, bringing in an estimated $1,200 in revenue, she said.

Haynes suggested putting the revenue from those late and reconnection fees into the sewer fund.

She said that in recent years the town has been subjected to an overall 12 percent water rate increase from the City of Hagerstown and has passed on only 3 percent to water customers.

Haynes also asked the council to increase the sewer rate from 70 percent of water usage to 75 percent to help reduce the sewer debt.

The town's sewer fund will "be a burden on the town even after the debt is paid," Haynes said.

Funkstown's sewer system is antiquated and has not been upgraded in 40 years except for routine maintenance, she said.

The proposed budget includes the purchase of two sewer pumps for $15,000.

The proposed budget also includes an increase in the town's contribution to the Funkstown Fire Department from $2,000 in the current fiscal year to $3,000 for equipment purchases.

Haynes said the town's aging computer system needs to be replaced for an estimated $2,000.

"It's well overdue," she said.

A budget workshop is set for June 21 at 7 p.m. The council will vote on the budget during a meeting June 29 at 7 p.m.

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