Murchison raises tap fees
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

The Murchison City Council voted Tuesday, November 13, to raise sewer and water tap fees. The rate increase, effective immediately, will be applied to businesses and homes not yet put into the sewer and water system in order to install them.

Megan Harville, Murchison City Secretary, said the decision was reached when the council looked at the budget and expenses for the city.

"We've been losing money on putting in new taps," Harville said. "It costs more for us to install a new tap and a new meter than we charge to install them."

The new meter charge is $800, as opposed to the old charge of $500. The four inch line cost was raised from $300 to $500.

The council also voted to advertise for bids in regards to the asphalting of several Murchison streets.

Harville said the motion was only to advertise for the bids to lay out the asphalt and pave the roads, and nothing has been decided yet. The council, as of Friday, November 16, is still unsure of how much the asphalt itself will cost.

The streets to be paved are Kathy drive, 1st, 2nd and 3rd streets, and any other streets requiring work, Harville said.

In regards to Murchison's budget and finances, Harville also said the city's finances were in good shape.

"We're fine aside from the sewer and water fees," Harville said.

No other issue has been causing the city to lose money. There were no special reports of notice from either the Mayor of Murchison or the Water Works, Harville also said.