Rate study shows increase in water bills was needed

By LEGION TAYLOR Reporter

Bob Mearns from the Florida Rural Water Association was at the St. Marks City Commission meeting two weeks ago to talk about the results of the rate study done on the city’s water system.
Mearns was at the city commission meeting held on Thursday, Oct. 12.
The study focused primarily on the cost to keep the water on to all of the city’s customers, as well as projections for the future and suggested price adjustments for years to come.
The study found that the controversial rate increase was a good choice from the city.
According to Mearns, the rate was going to have to be adjusted eventually, and it’s better to increase the price now than have to double it a few years down the line. The city commission also decided they would likely start adjusting the rate every year from now on, so large increases aren’t needed again.
This would likely take place in August every year, the same month the large rate increase was.
In other matters before the city commission:
• Shadrach Hines of the St. Marks Waterfronts committee spoke about plans for the Brew Fest, which is coming up on Saturday, Oct. 28, gave city commissioners an update on the event: almost everything is ironed out, and the festival is expected to be very good for the city.
• The city commission also discussed how the city is paying for insurance on COAST Charter School. (The city owns the old school building, and leases it to the charter school. In the past it was leased for $1 a year, but the city no longer collects the fee.)    
The city commission instructed their attorney to draft a letter to COAST to notify the school’s administration that the city will pay the first quarter’s insurance, but that the school will need to look into its own liability insurance.
• The city commission unanimously passed a resolution to authorize the sale of a large excavator to the Wakulla county commission, one that St. Marks had purchased around a year and a half ago, but not found as much use for it as they would have liked.
• City Manager Zoe Mansfield suggested covering up a patch of dirt near Cooter Stew restaurant with a decorated piece of concrete, which the commissioners decided to get an estimated price on before committing to.
• A resolution was unanimously passed to allow the mayor to enter into the “Municipal Small County Outreach Program Agreement” which allows St. Marks to secure more funding for the maintenance of its roads.
• The website for the City of St. Marks allows residents to sign up for an email service which will alert them about meetings and workshops that the city is holding, so they can be more informed about what local government is doing.