By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

The monthly flat rate water bill for White Hall residents will increase effective Oct. 1, but the number of gallons allowed will remain the same.

In the absence of Council member Peggy M. Johnson, and after a relay of views expressed by citizens, the council unanimously approved a flat rate hike of $2 per month, but left the number of gallons of water allowed under the flat rate at 4,000 per month.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management recommended the rate increase, said Mayor Elizabeth Davis.

“We had problems with the well. We’ve repaired the well, but we still had debt,” Davis explained. She said the rate increase was needed “to maintain our water system.”

It was announced at the August meeting that the public would be given an opportunity to speak on the proposed rate hike at the September council meeting. No one showed up for that purpose Thursday night.

However, Council member Moses A. Bandy said citizen Charles Mays suggested that the flat rate remain the same, but the number of gallons allowed be reduce to 2,000 gallons per month or to raise the flat rate by $2, but leave the number of gallons at 4,000 per month.

Mayor Davis said the latter option was also what she recommended. And Bandy made a motion to approve the second option.

Council member Walter Bates said he also spoke to citizens, including senior citizens, who had no problem with the rate increase and who understood the need due to work done on the well. He seconded Bandy’s motion, which was unanimously approved.

The flat rate with taxes will increase from $16.64 to $18.72 per month, effective Oct. 1.

On a motion by Bates with a second from Bandy, the council also unanimously approved a 010 lounge retail liquor Class One license for Marcus White and White Enterprises LLC for The Luxury, located at 5839 U.S. Highway 80 West.

The council had no objection to a cemetery plot at Pleasant Green Baptist Church and approved the minutes of the August meeting.

It was announced that a called meeting of the council would be held prior to the Oct. 6 meeting to approve the town’s budget.