Community Concerns Over Water Budget and Rising Costs
Residents of Clyde are closely watching the city’s budget planning process, particularly as it relates to the water budget. A special meeting was held on Tuesday evening, where city officials discussed various aspects of the upcoming financial plan. One of the main topics of concern was the potential increase in water bills, which has sparked frustration among local residents.
Bo Davidson, a long-time resident of Clyde, expressed his concerns about the possible rise in water rates. He mentioned that the city may need to increase the base rate for water again, similar to what happened last year. “They’re going to have to go up on the water bills again,” he said. “And just like they did last year, they did the $30 per water, per meter, for the base rate. They’re going to have to go up again. I don’t know how much exactly it’s going to be. They probably don’t yet either, but they’re going to have to raise more money.”
Davidson is not only worried about his own water bill but also about supporting his uncle’s. He described the current situation as challenging. “It runs about $150 to $160. And now they’re looking at raising it to almost $200 just for 1000 gallons.” This increase could place a significant burden on families already struggling with rising costs.
The resident pointed out that some of the biggest problems in Clyde right now are related to the budget issues. “We need to get that solved,” he said. “And we need to make a more permanent solution.” He acknowledged that the City Council is working hard to address these challenges. “I know their heart was always in the right place for the Hanner Sports Complex, and all that, which really cost us $54 million over the next 30 years. And so that’s something they’re working hard on.”
Rodger Brown, the City Administrator of Clyde, confirmed that the recent budget workshop was the first of many. He emphasized that the city will not adopt a final budget until September. “At least now that they’re actually going and, and actually holding these meetings,” Davidson said. “And I’m glad to see that it was a three-hour meeting, and there was a lot of good information there. And I hope the citizens of Clyde really check that out.”
The city plans to hold another budget workshop on August 5 to continue discussions on creating a viable budget for the community. These meetings are seen as an important step in addressing the financial challenges facing Clyde.
Residents like Davidson believe that transparency and community involvement are crucial in ensuring that the budget reflects the needs of the people. With ongoing issues such as frequent water line breaks and boil notices, the pressure is on the city to find sustainable solutions.
As the city moves forward with its budget planning, the focus remains on balancing financial responsibilities with the needs of the community. The upcoming workshops will play a key role in shaping the future of Clyde’s finances and infrastructure. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and participate in these discussions to ensure that their voices are heard.
