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ROSE HILL — The Rose Hill Board of Commissioners voted to consider an increase in the town’s water and sewer rates during their meeting on March 10. The increase would be less than $5 for the town’s average residential customers.
The last water/sewer rate increase in Rose Hill was in March of 2022. The new rates will be voted on during the board’s meeting on June 9 when the board also considers the new fiscal year budget.
Town Administrator Angela Smith updated the board on several financial matters, highlighting the need for the water and sewer rate increase to cover the costs of operating the town’s system. Smith initially recommended a 7% increase, followed by annual increases until a total 20% increase was reached. After a lengthy discussion about the potential impact on residents, the board approved a 6% increase for the first year, with incremental increases planned annually. Despite the adjustment, Rose Hill’s water and sewer rates would remain below the state average.
The proposed budget also includes a one-time bonus of 2% for town employees as well as a 3% cost-of-living increase for full-time staff.
The new budget also proposes the addition of two new planning and zoning fees, including a major subdivision final plat filing fee of $150 and a fee to be determined for required public hearings and legal advertisements.
The budget also recommends a 25-cent-per-page fee for faxes from Town Hall, which had previously been provided at no charge.
The public utilities department is requesting funds to purchase two Bobcat zero-turn mowers at $23,263 to replace two mowers that are experiencing mechanical issues. The department is also requesting to purchase a Kubota tractor at $50,611 to replace one purchased in 2001.
The recreation board requested a budget allocation of $40,000 to build and install a new double-sided batting cage at Jimmy Jerome Park.
The board set a public hearing for May 12 to allow public input on the proposed budget. Adoption of the budget, with any changes, will be considered at the June 9 board meeting.
In other town business, work could begin at any time now on a new subdivision on Church Street after the board approved the final plat submission from the developer Chasten Wallace. The subdivision will feature six lots on the 1.86-acre property.
The Rose Hill board approved a contract with the CPA firm Thompson, Price, Scott Adams & Co at $16,500, plus a possible $3,000 major program fee for the audit of the current fiscal year ending on June 30. The board approved an amount not to exceed $25,500 for the audit process. The CPA firm is the same one used for last year’s audit.
