The Shadow
Residents from across the area showed up to the Clifton Forge town council chambers, for a called meeting on Tuesday evening. The core objective of the meeting was to conduct a second reading of the budget proposed for the upcoming year 2024/2025, as well as consider approving the proposed budget. A major Part of the task taken on by council members Tuesday evening was the consideration of several new
ordinances.
The meeting opened with a few words from Mayor Irvine about the purpose of the evening’s forum, before allowing locals to voice their feelings on the matters being discussed. Only two participants made their way to the front to have their opinions known, but their passionate pleas to the council spoke loud enough to be heard by everyone in the town. Both “Jerry Belcher” and “Chet Howard” were there to try and convince the council to not raise the rates on the town’s water, pointing out that many people in the community are finding it hard to pay their utility bills and pay for necessities like food and medicines. Both pointed out that the cost for water is already high compared to other locations and it’s only a matter of time before residents start leaving the area because of it.
A motion was then made and passed to bring the budget along with the ordinances to a vote. All sections brought to vote were passed including one to levy taxes within the town on Real Property, as well as on private property and machinery for the upcoming fiscal year. The ordinance to raise the town’s monthly water rate per EDU to $41.80 passed although not unanimously. Vice mayor Dale Burdette stated that as a man who
was raised in Clifton by a single mother, he can’t with good conscience vote to raise rates and make things harder on the towns citizens. He along with Mayor Irvine both voted against the proposed increase, but the increase passed when the three other council members voted in favor. The Resolution to raise the town’s monthly sewer rate to $71.20 per EDU passed with only Mayor Irvine voting against it. From there the budget was put forth and passed with all voting to adopt it except Vice Mayor Burdette.
The last point listed on the agenda was to do all things necessary to accomplish what’s listed above So with that accomplishment in mind the meeting was brought to a close and adjourned.
