Sallisaw City Budget on Monday Agenda

Sallisaw City Commissioners will be voting on the city's 2014-15 budget at their regular meeting Monday. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at the Sallisaw Civic Center. A public hearing will be held before the vote on the budget resolution. Sallisaw Mayor Julie Ferguson has said she is opposed to increasing utility rates for city residents, especially those on a fixed income, and other reasons. Included in the budget is a minimum rate increase for residential water, sewer and sanitation services. The new minimum rate for residents will be $41.75, an increase of $2.75 a month, according to the meeting agenda. The rate for telecommunication services will also change, some will be higher and some lower, the agenda points out. The new communication rates, according to the agenda, are not a revenue source for the city, but reflect the changed costs of telecommunication services including an increased internet speed and lower phone costs. If approved, the new rates will be effective on June 10. The agenda is available for viewing on the city's website at www.sallisawok.org. Stay tuned to KXMX or visit www.kxmx.com for the latest news. By Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director