FELLSMERE — The Fellsmere City Council has approved its $8.4 million budget and a slight increase to its water rates. Taxpayers can expect to pay approximately the same amount in taxes as they did last year, given a higher tax rate and a decrease in property values.
The tax rate has been increased from 4.4300 to 5.2455 mills – less than the rate needed to bring in the same amount of revenue as that collected from last year.
The City of Fellsmere expects to bring in $18,000 less than last year through property taxes due to a decline of 13.6 percent in values.
“This is not a tax increase,” City Manager Jason Nunemaker said.
During Thursday’s budget hearing, the Fellsmere City Council also approved an increase to the city’s water rates. Residential water customers could expect to pay between 14 cents and $1.17 more each month depending on the size of their meter.
Commercial customers’ rates could go up as much as $16.35.
The wastewater monthly base charge could go up 21 cents while the gallon charge per 1,000 gallons could increase by 6 cents.
Out-of-city customers can expect to pay the in-city rates plus a 25 percent surcharge.
Fellsmere resident and City Council candidate John Luke questioned the council’s decision to increase the water rates, noting that other governments have been decreasing their water rates.
City Manager Jason Nunemaker told Luke that the purpose for the rate increase is to help the city keep current with inflation and expenses to avoid a massive increase years down the road.
Luke also questioned the water’s quality and offered Nunemaker a drink of water he said he took from a local business.
“It’s nothing but pure sulfur water,” Luke said, adding that the water from the business’s spigot comes out black when the water is first turned on in the morning.
“I’m against the raise,” Luke said of the water rate increase.
Mayor Susan Adams told Luke that businesses and residents with questions or concerns about their water are encouraged to talk to the city or council.
“We’d love to have input,” she said.
