By Naomi Hatch “Is this just going to be until it’s able to pay whatever bills you’re needing to pay, or is this going to be forever and ever,” asked Sharon Smith during an Aug. 1 public hearing on increasing water rates for the Town of Taylor. “Have you ever seen anything taken away?” asked Mayor Fay Hatch. “That’s why we’re against it,” responded Smith. Lee Hale reminded the council that a year ago they had a discussion on water, and said that it ran at a deficit in the winter and was back in the summer. “Is that not the case anymore?” asked Hale. “The issue on the intent of increased water rates is to be able to initiate capital projects and improve-ments,” explained Town Manager Eric Duthie. “It’s for the improvement of the system over time because we have no reserve and we have no capital built up there whatsoever.” Duthie explained that the monthly base rate would go from $10 a month to $15 and the usage fee per 1,000 gallons would increase from 90 cents to $1, giving a projected annual revenue increase of $93,289.60. The monthly increase for customers was projected at $5.46. Capital projects that are needed include replacement of the Rolling Hills storage tank, a storage tank facil-ity on the east side, a generator for the Rolling Hills well, water system modeling and pressure reduction valves at Hole in the Hill well into the main system, with a total cost of $456,000. “The green tank is ancient,” pointed out Councilman Gary Solomon, noting that other things were getting old, too. “The rate has got to go up,” said Vice Mayor Jane Lee. “Why didn’t you start building a slush fund?” asked Elmer Magee. “Basically, I think that’s what we’re trying to build by raising the water rates,” said Solomon. “I don’t know if anybody noticed how many water leaks occurred during the winter, a lot of them, and that’s an indication of an old system,” said Mayor Hatch. The public hearing closed and when council discussed this item during the regular meeting, Councilman Shawn Palmer said, “Flags come up when I think about this. Number one, I don’t like increases, I like de-creases; and number two, I like what Mr. Magee said, I like his analogy of starting early and planning ahead and that’s what we’re doing.” Derald McNeil expressed concern about the people who read the water meters and said his bill keeps in-creasing. He was concerned the town didn’t have the manpower to read all the meters and stated, “I am just concerned about the people that take the water readings.” “I know when there’s a mistake it will correct itself,” said Mayor Hatch, and staff pointed out that a re-read can be requested. It was also noted that if there is something questionable, the clerk will ask for a re-read before the bill is sent and if there’s excessive use, someone will call to notify of a possible water leak, which Mayor Hatch said they have done with him several times. There was discussion on going to a computerized system, but that would be very expensive. “Sounds reasonable to me and I’d be willing to support it,” said Magee. On that a motion was made to approve Resolution R2012-07, establishing adjusted rates, effective Sept. 1, for water delivery services provided by the town, which passed unanimously. In other business, a public hearing was held on the proposed $7,130,948 fiscal year 2012-13 budget. There was a brief discussion on the effect of a new law requiring elections to be held at the same time throughout the state. Duthie explained if there was an increase in cost to the town for that, it would be a contingency item. A motion to approve Resolution R2012-08, approving the budget, passed unanimously.