By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
In a packed room at the Piedmont City Council meeting, more than 100 residents showed up to oppose a plan to raise utility rates by $28 to fix the city streets.
And the council backed off their plan.
“Sometimes you make mistakes,” said councilman John Brown. Brown said there were concerns that the plan was proposing a tax, not a fee, and any tax increase required a vote of the people. Applause came from the audience.
In the audience, residents voiced their opposition to the rate increase for the plan. Potholes are dangerous and cause wrecks and damage to vehicles, residents told council members.
Mayor Kurt Mayabb said he did not think calling for a vote would fix the streets.
The plan was tabled until a legal opinion can determine whether the city should implement the increase.
“This is what happens every time we get to the end. We can’t make that difficult decision to fix the town that we live in. I’m not saying this was the only solution,” Mayabb said at the meeting Monday. “But it was the best solution at this time. I’m just concerned that if we go to a vote of the people, we are just delaying our road projects again.”
Residents complained about the plan, and whether the potholes would actually get fixed.
Brittany Anderson told the council she has a petition of 500 signatures from people against the rate increase.
One of the residents who spoke at the meeting was Robin Hocker, also known as Chester the Clown, who operates Chester’s Party Barn.
“We have an increase in our water bill that is taking place to fix our roads and we just had a bond issue pass, (school bond) so it is going to cost me an extra $1,200 just to live in this community. I’m happy to pay that because we love our community.”
But Hocker said he knows of two business owners who have reservations about moving to Piedmont.
“I think we need to look at this more long-term,”Hocker said.
The council could call an election date for June 30.
The $28 fee increase proposed on utility bills would be in addition to a $10 fee for streets that exists now.
