Category: Government

Community committee gets four months to develop viable Cain Center plan

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Listen to the podcast above for more thoughts on this story from reporter Michael Hannigan.)

By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

The long-running saga of the Cain Center rehabilitation project took another twist Tuesday night, but this time there’s a clock ticking.

During their regular meeting, council members decided to give a group of community members and activists until April 2 to come up with a viable plan for moving forward with the Cain Center. The committee is to be led by Steve Grant.

Details about the community committee and how it will operate were limited Tuesday.

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About 3 percent increase in water, sanitation fees coming to City of Athens

Press release

ATHENS – The City of Athens has updated its water, sewer, and sanitation fees for the 2019 fiscal year which officially began, October 1, 2018.

Water and sewer fees have increased by roughly 3 percent for all customers. This is part of a five year plan enacted in 2015 to ensure that rates were sufficient to continue to provide quality water and sewer services to customers. Customers can expect the cost per 1,000 gallons of water to rise from $3.15 to $3.24. Sewer rates, which is based on water consumption, will rise from $5.89 to $6.07 per 1,000 gallons of water use. Also, bulk water rates will rise from $9.04 to $9.30 per 1,000 gallons of water use.

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Nichols meets with local superintendents

Press release

ATHENS — Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) met with local superintendents from Henderson County. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss education issues in preparation for the 86th Legislature which convenes in January.

“The Legislature faces many challenges this session, and we cannot make good decisions unless we are listening closely to those we represent,” said Nichols. “Education is and always will be one of the most important issues we face as a state.”

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The reasons why the City of Athens is facing a tight budget

By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

The Athens City Council is expected to vote on the proposed budget and tax rate for the 2019 fiscal year Monday night.

The tax rate will stay the same as last year. That part was easy for the council.

City officials have been clear that the budgeting side of the equation hasn’t been as easy this cycle.

“We have a unique budget,” Mayor Monte Montgomery said recently. “It is really tight. We’ve had to really tighten our belts.”

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