The City of Johnsonville has adopted new water and sewer rates which are taking effect for the first full billing cycle of the new fiscal year which began July 1, 2019.
City Council approved the new rates based on the results of a rate study conducted by The Wooten Company. In a presentation at the City Council meeting on June 4, company representative Gary Hartong explained that the new rates would change from a declining rate to a fixed rate with a variable rate for every thousand gallons used.
“This cost of service study was performed earlier this year and reflects actual costs to serve Johnsonville water, sewer and sanitation customers,” said City Administrator Jim Smith.
“The City has not increased utility rates for several years and the new rates will allow Johnsonville to remain cost-competitive with surrounding municipalities in Florence County,” added Smith.
City Council meetings are open to the public. Agendas are posted at the Johnsonville Post Office, front door of City Hall and at www.cityofjohnsonville.com at least 24 hours before each meeting. Anyone with questions regarding the new rates can contact City Hall at 843-386-2069.
Click here for new rates.
Johnsonville Police Chief Ron Douglas acquired the gazebo and volunteered to replace some of the railings and stain the woodwork.
Odell Venters Landing , statue of General Francis Marion, the park shelter and the gazebo are maintained by the City of Johnsonville Streets and Sanitation Department.
Johnsonville voters defeated a proposal to reduce the size of City Council from six seats to four in a referendum held Tuesday, June 25. The unofficial results show 93 residents voted “no” and only 25 voted in favor of reducing the council size.
“With the Mayor and two Councilmen not running for re-election in November, we saw this as a good time to reduce the size of council if the citizens wanted,” commented City Administrator Jim Smith.
“Also, with that many races for open seats, the election will cost the taxpayers in the City of Johnsonville over $10,000 this November,” Smith added.
In the past, there has not been a lot of interest in running for Council seats. Smith hopes citizens who strongly opposed the reduction, will step up and run for office.
The filing period will begin in August for candidates wishing to run for Johnsonville City Council or Mayor.
“The voters have spoken, and we do not see a downside either way,” Smith concluded.
