GAINESVILLE - Gainesville's city budget is balanced, requires no tax increase and as of Tuesday, City Council gave it final approval, except for Councilman Bob Hamrick.
Hamrick - as expected - cast the single no vote to FY 2009's $29.7 million spending plan because it contains a 2.2 percent hike for solid waste fees.
"We could find $160,000 and not initiate that cost to the people," Hamrick said.
Hamrick said under the current economic conditions this is not the right time to go up on residential waste collection cost.
STILL NO CAR WASHING AT HOME
Gainesville water customers still cannot wash their cars or pressure wash their houses, but they can water their flowers and shrubs for 25 minutes with a hand held hose.
The city council authorized Public Utilities to continuing enforcing amended Level Four Drought restrictions; the slight amendments won't do much for lagging water sales, according to Utilities Director Kelly Randall.
"I don't really think that 20 minutes with a hand held hose is going to affect our volume sales significantly," Randall said.
Homeowners must use a garden hose with an automatic shutoff spray nozzle and may water between midnight and 10 a.m. on designated days based on odd and even numbered addresses.
BEST WATER PLANT IN GEORGIA
Gainesville has Georgia's top water plant, according to Georgia Association of Water Professionals Executive Director Jack Dozier, during Tuesday's city council meeting.
Dozier presented the award to the Lakeside Treatment plant, its manager Scott Benefield and his co-workers.
"There are a whole bunch of facilities who would like to be standing here receiving this award," Dozier said.
It's Lakeside's first statewide honor for excellence in operation and maintenance.
Thursday
October 17th, 2024
10:17PM
