Flowery Branch City Council ponders 'unfunded mandate' cost

FLOWERY BRANCH - Flowery Branch City Manager Bill Andrew told city council members Wednesday he’s trying to figure out how to manage $75,000 worth of unfunded reporting mandates from the state Environmental Protection Division.

Andrew said the city has to find more money because the cost of those state required reports and tests on commercial sewer system discharge exceeds current water and sewer revenues.

"The simple fact of the matter is we have new costs that have to be born by new revenues," Andrew said.

City Councilman Craig Lutz proposed placing the cost on the heaviest commercial users or let all customers pay.

"To the point of spreading across the whole base, obviously the residential base is a ton larger than the business base," Lutz said "There is a direct benefit to the residents in this community by having thriving small business." "I think both options are worth looking at."

Councilman Allen Bryans questioned the fairness of spreading the cost onto residential users who do not generate (FOG), fats, oils and greases.

Andrew said commercial businesses, such as restaurants, that do put fats, oils, and grease into the sewer system, would pay a much higher fee if they had to pay the entire cost.