Purdy Council moves forward on multiple ordinances
July 31, 2019
Vinnie Roberts
At a Purdy City Council meeting on Monday, July 15, city officials passed several ordinances that will have an effect on citizens in the months to come. Changes include maintenance of right-of-way, court fines and water rates.
The first of these ordinances relates to the maintenance of rights-of-way within the city. While legislations exist regarding lawn care, no legislation was in place that required Purdy citizens to care for the ditches and right-of way areas outside of what is considered a standard yard area.
According to Debbie Redshaw, Purdy City Clerk, some debate existed over who was responsible for the maintenance of those areas. This led to city maintenance employees spending large chunks of time on the clock taking care of extra mowing in order to keep these areas in line with city code.
Under this new ordinance, citizens and private businesses are now responsible for all maintenance of ditches, right-of ways and all other grassy areas on a given property that don’t fall in what is considered a standard lawn.
The second ordinance passed by the Purdy council relates to fines issued by the Municipal Court of Purdy. The ordinance brings the court in line with other county municipal court’s fine schedules. The fines were outlined for the city by the UFSC in a document approved on March 25.
The third of these ordinances passed involves a change in the water rates within city limits. According to the previous ordinance, passed in 2013, water rates began at $20 for the first 1,000 gallons with an additional $5 being charged for every additional 1,000 gallons used. Under the new ordinance, these rates will jump to $46 for the first 1,000 gallons and $10 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
According to Redshaw, this change was done in order to help the city pay for its new meter system, which is said to be more accurate and better help the city keep track of water leaks that may negatively impact the city’s overall flow.
The final ordinance voted on by the Purdy council involves a change in the sewer rates. Previously, the rates charged by the city for sewer services were $20 for the first 1,000 gallons and $5 for every additional 1,000 gallons. Under the new ordinance, those rates will change to $30 for the first 1,000 gallons and $10 for every additional 1,000 gallons of use.
Redshaw explained that this was done to offset costs of both the meter project and the $4.6 million dollar sewer pipeline project that began in January of 2018.
All of these ordinances were passed by the council, with all members in attendance voting in the affirmative. Members of the council present were aldermen Brian Bowers, Dan Musgrove and Robert Mosier, with alderman Scott Redshaw not in attendance.
For any questions regarding the new ordinances or changing rates, contact Purdy City Hall at (417) 442-3273.
Vinnie Roberts
At a Purdy City Council meeting on Monday, July 15, city officials passed several ordinances that will have an effect on citizens in the months to come. Changes include maintenance of right-of-way, court fines and water rates.
The first of these ordinances relates to the maintenance of rights-of-way within the city. While legislations exist regarding lawn care, no legislation was in place that required Purdy citizens to care for the ditches and right-of way areas outside of what is considered a standard yard area.
According to Debbie Redshaw, Purdy City Clerk, some debate existed over who was responsible for the maintenance of those areas. This led to city maintenance employees spending large chunks of time on the clock taking care of extra mowing in order to keep these areas in line with city code.
Under this new ordinance, citizens and private businesses are now responsible for all maintenance of ditches, right-of ways and all other grassy areas on a given property that don’t fall in what is considered a standard lawn.
The second ordinance passed by the Purdy council relates to fines issued by the Municipal Court of Purdy. The ordinance brings the court in line with other county municipal court’s fine schedules. The fines were outlined for the city by the UFSC in a document approved on March 25.
The third of these ordinances passed involves a change in the water rates within city limits. According to the previous ordinance, passed in 2013, water rates began at $20 for the first 1,000 gallons with an additional $5 being charged for every additional 1,000 gallons used. Under the new ordinance, these rates will jump to $46 for the first 1,000 gallons and $10 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
According to Redshaw, this change was done in order to help the city pay for its new meter system, which is said to be more accurate and better help the city keep track of water leaks that may negatively impact the city’s overall flow.
The final ordinance voted on by the Purdy council involves a change in the sewer rates. Previously, the rates charged by the city for sewer services were $20 for the first 1,000 gallons and $5 for every additional 1,000 gallons. Under the new ordinance, those rates will change to $30 for the first 1,000 gallons and $10 for every additional 1,000 gallons of use.
Redshaw explained that this was done to offset costs of both the meter project and the $4.6 million dollar sewer pipeline project that began in January of 2018.
All of these ordinances were passed by the council, with all members in attendance voting in the affirmative. Members of the council present were aldermen Brian Bowers, Dan Musgrove and Robert Mosier, with alderman Scott Redshaw not in attendance.
For any questions regarding the new ordinances or changing rates, contact Purdy City Hall at (417) 442-3273.