DOBSON — Last night, the Dobson Board of Commissioners approved a measure to charge customers at least $24 a month for a minimum water and sewer usage.

In the past, the town did not issue a bill unless the customer used more than 500 gallons of water, according to interim Town Manager Paul Hensch. Public Works Director Michael Frazier said the change would only affect a few water and sewer customers.

At present, the town does not charge customers to connect or disconnect from the city’s water and sewer lines. However, commissioners felt at the very least, everyone who has a connection should have to pay the minimum water/sewer rates, which are $12 a month per 2,000 gallons of water and the same amount for sewer.

Commissioner Lana Brendle made the motion to pass what the board referred to as an access fee or monthly minimum with Commissioner John Lawson making the second. The action passed unanimously. The new change will not affect customers until the next cycle of bills are issued, since Hensch said bills have just been mailed out.

Hensch said he would make every effort to contact those who will be affected by the change.

Budget proposes no tax increases

A public hearing was set for June 24 at 6 p.m. after Hensch presented his recommended budget to the board.

“This year’s budget has been a challenge to create. The current recession is affecting municipalities’ budgets statewide. Some are seeing drastic reductions in staff and services in order to balance the budget. While my proposed budget is a reduction from the current year, it maintains a level of service that the residents of the town expect,” Hensch said.

Hensch’s recommended 2010-11 budget for the town includes no proposed tax increase. The General Fund revenues and expenditures are down 6 percent, balancing both at $1,154,900. Water and Sewer Fund revenues and expenditures are down 8 percent, balancing both at $1,135,900.

The police department has an additional full-time employee budgeted, which Hensch said will provide “a greater safety to the residents of Dobson.”

The fire department recently received a grant for $16,000, which the town will have to match. Hensch said he had not included that number in the budget because the notification came in last Friday.

The county will be reimbursing the town $202,000 for employees and equipment due to a service agreement on county water lines. The money will allow for an additional amount in the budget for capital outlay including the purchase of a dump truck, a trailer and a back hoe, along with the money for paying an additional employee in the water and sewer department.

“With proper management of funds emphasizing efficiency, the town’s residents should see no reduction in service and in many areas, an increase in service,” Hensch said.

In other action, the board agreed to have Frazier paint the word “Stop” on the road at South Crutchfield Street at South Main. Mayor Ricky Draughn said he thought too many people were failing to stop at the stop sign that sits back from the actual intersection because of driveway access in that area.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.