Hiawassee passes budget, will resume normal water billing

Hiawassee’s city county approved a $3.36 million budget at Monday’s called session, prior to their work session. They also heard an update from the mayor about the water billing process, which will resume normal operations in July, fluoride resolutions, and discussion about signage at parking lots.

Budget

The Hiawassee City Council approved the $3.363.350 budget. This includes funding for police, general budget, hotel fund, water fund, sewer fund, and water treatment fund. The breakdown is as follows:

Total Police Income $150,200 4.8%
Total General Income $646,525 20.6%
Total Income – Hotel $183,400 5.9%
Total Income – Water $941,000 30.0%
Total Income-Sewer $585,200 18.7%
Total Income-WTP $625,325 20.0%
$3,131,650 100.0%
Total Police Expense $381,900 11.4%
Total General Expense $646,525 19.2%
Total Expense – Hotel $183,400 5.5%
Total Expense – Water $941,000 28.0%
Total Expense-Sewer $585,200 17.4%
Total Expense-WTP $625,325 18.6%
$3,363,350 100.0%

Click here to see the complete budget.

Water billing update

Mayor Liz Ordiales said that normal water billing will start back in July, with bills due on July 20. This comes after a four month moratorium on disconnecting water on overdue bills.

“If it’s not paid by July 22, we will shut it off,” she said.

She encourages the city’s 2,367 water customers to use the ACH automatic pay system.

“It’s safe, no one has to handle anything and it’s all done electronically,” she said. The city currently has 466 customers using the system.

Read about the June 2 Hiawassee City Council meeting and water increase here.

Mayor updates

• Ordiales told the council she was looking at options to replace the 2006 Ford F-150 truck being used by the city due to high mileage and other issues. The truck has 155,287 miles.
• Any old, torn, or tattered American flags can be brought to city hall and placed in the marked box for the city to properly dispose of.
• The city was awarded a $100,000 grant from the USDA World Development to repair roofs and stabilization of the city’s buildings.

  The city was recently awarded a $100,000 grant for roof repairs and stabilization to these buildings.

• The city submitted a permit to the Georgia Department of Transportation to make an unnamed street one way to add parking.
• Announced the Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority First Friday will resume in August and feature artists, games, and food vendors.
• Ordiales was named president of Georgia Municipal Associations District 2.

New Business

• After 57-percent of the city’s voters voted no to wanting fluoride added to their water, the city will move forward with a resolution honoring that vote.
• Discussed the kayak ramp at Lloyd’s Landing and using $25,893 from the existing SPLOST revenues to pay Technology International for their part in the plan.
• Heard a business complaint about private parking not having signs.