Garbage has increased from $15 to $20 and citizens must pay $2 for police and $2 for fire services. This is billed quarterly, but residents can request to pay it monthly. Senior Citizens pay $16 for garbage, but are requested to apply at city hall for the discount.
These rate increases were approved by the former city council and went into effect on July 1 to cover expenditures and atone for a lack of revenue.
The garbage bill had not increased in 14 years and with increasing operating costs, the town was faced with either laying off employees or an increasing service rates.
Citizens presented Williamson council members a petition with approximately 130 signatures, requesting the council eliminate the increase to the bills.
Councilman Matt Thornsbury brought up the issue in his comments as well, saying he had several residents approach him about the bills. Thornsbury said it was difficult for Williamson residents to pay due to the economy and requested Mayor Darrin McCormick resend the bill.
McCormick explained the city’s budget depended upon the income generated by the newly implemented charges. The mayor said that Williamson was one of three towns who hadn’t implemented the emergency charge and that it was only $0.92 a day. McCormick gave examples of what other towns were paying for emergency services and garbage including Charleston, which he said paid $110 for garbage, police and fire services.
McCormick said he didn’t have a problem revisiting the issue if a solution to the town’s low revenue could be found. He said that these fees were not optional they were needed to support the town. McCormick said he was trying to keep the lights on and the doors open.
Town Attorney Chris Younger chimed in, saying the Mayor was taking blame for something that should have been done years ago.
Stating he is “here for the citizens,” Thornsbury asked if McCormick would support him if council could develop another way to generate revenue.
McCormick said the town held readings of the new ordinance at regular council meetings, ran legal ads in The Williamson Daily, and a held public hearing so that citizens could voice their opinion, but the city received no complaints.
“We did everything we are required by law to do,” said McCormick, blaming the recent complaints on lack of news coverage during the time the increase was passed, as citizens could have made their complaints known at the public hearings and meeting.
McCormick said the former council did not take the rate increase lightly, but felt they had no choice and did it for the town.
Vinson Street resident George Blackwell approached the council saying he wasn’t against jobs, but something needed to be done.
“It is getting bad,” said Blackwell. “The council needs to look somewhere else to get money.”
The Mayor said it was required by law for residents to pay it and if it wasn’t paid that the town can file leans against property and that it would be adjusted during planning for next year’s budget.
The Mayor explained that individuals didn’t have a choice and it was a matter of city code and that residents were required by state to pay.
The Mayor explained that he didn’t want this issue being brought up again unless there was another alternative to solve the problem.
Thornbury is now in possession of the petition and can be contacted 304-235-5305 for additional signatures.
Williamson City Council meetings are conducted on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall.
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