CITY OF ST. MARKS

UTILITY RATES LIKELY TO RISE

Facing a shortfall in its utility payments, residents could see 50% increase

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN Editor

Facing dire financial conditions, the City of St. Marks is looking at a sharp increase in utility rates – at a meeting last week, city commissioners discussed an increase of as much as 50%.
The average total for monthly utilities for residential is around $84 a month. What city commissioners are looking at would increase the monthly bill to $115 or $120 a month for residential customers.
The problem is that the city’s utility budget is subsidized by general revenues. As Mayor Paul Sheddan told residents at a meeting on Thursday, May 18, the city’s accountant has warned that if drastic action is not taken, the city could be bankrupt and unincorporated in 5 to 7 years.
At a previous meeting, the city commission cut staff to a four-day workweek to save money. At the May meeting, they did the first reading on an ordinance to have the city stop paying for replacement of grinder pumps – another money saving measure.
In June, they will discuss a utility rate increase.
One citizen called out at the meeting that the city will need a bigger meeting room for that discussion.
The city is having a study done to look at the feasibility of the rate increase.
Mayor Sheddan told citizens that the accountant has warned the city that there is no way to cut enough to balance the budget.
The goal, city commissioners and staff agreed, is to have the utility system pay for itself.
Ryder Rudd, a lobbyist and husband of City Commission Sharon Rudd, commented that the way out of the financial problems “is going to hurt. Gonna be a lot of people in the community who are going to be upset about it.”
The problems continued to deepen as City Manager Zoe Mansfield announced that blowers at the wastewater treatment plant went out and will cost $53,000 to replace. And the city needs to pay another $15,000 for work on one of the sewer lift stations.
Resident Billy Bishop suggested the city develop a plan on the cost of replacing the city’s sewer system, and pursuing state grants to pay for it.
Ultimately, the way out for the city may be to have the county government take over its sewer system as it expands its service area.
Sheddan indicated the county is doing a feasibility study on an East Wakulla sewer system – referring to east of the Wakulla River.
In another matter, St. Marks Waterfronts Florida committee is moving forward with planning fireworks for the Fourth of July celebration.
Shadrach Hines of Waterfronts also noted that a community market is planned for Saturday, May 27, with 15 vendors planning to be at the event. It is set for 9 a.m. to noon.