By MARCIA LANE
marcia.lane@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 03/10/08
A proposal to unincorporate Hastings will be back before the Hastings Town Commission tonight.
Local restaurant owner Johnny Barnes threw out the suggestion at last month's meeting, in part because of a 30 percent hike in water bills for Hastings' residents.
"That's really the only service the city provides. We would be better off having the county. They already police the streets and provide fire service," Barnes said.
The new hike has sent his water bill up at the restaurant he opened a couple of years ago, but he says his real concern is for those on fixed incomes.
"What are all the little old ladies supposed to do? They only have so much money coming in, and now they have to give more of it to the water department," Barnes said.
Mayor Tom Ward says he's willing to talk, but he doesn't see the need to shut down the town government.
He thinks it's unlikely Hastings commissioners will agree to disenfranchise the town.
"We needed to raise the rates," Ward said. "We weren't generating enough money."
Either commissioners must vote to unincorporate the town or those in favor of the move must collect enough signatures to put the issue on a ballot and let the town's voters decide.
It's the rate hike that has sparked the discussion.
Town Manager Shelby Jack said the increase, which was passed on an emergency basis at a January meeting, was done with the approval of town attorney Jeff Dobbs.
"It's in two parts; 15 percent now and another 15 percent in October," Jack said.
Water and sewer have been major points of discussion at town meetings for more than two years. Hastings found itself with no additional hookups available for people wanting to build. There were ongoing problems determining who had unused hookups and whether or not they were being paid for. Commissioners have gradually worked out the issues.
Increasing revenue through increased rates has been a recommendation from the USDA Rural Development, which holds the bonds used to expand the water plant facility.
Town officials say it has been almost eight years since the rates were raised. They argue if the rates had been raised 3 percent each year, it wouldn't have been necessary for the 30 percent increase.
Officials say the town provides more than just water. It also is responsible for a sewer system, street lights, street repair, paving, stormwater and recreation. While the state Department of Transportation handled the widening of State Road 207, the town has been working to repair streets in less-traveled areas within town.
Commissioners have talked about cost-cutting methods including renegotiating contracts with employees. Grants continue to be a major means of funds for the town of about 600.
St. Johns County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tom Manuel says the county would be happy to take in Hastings and believes the town could still keep its identity.
Manuel says the county's utility department has estimated the cost of water in Hastings is about twice what county residents pay.
"If we took in Hastings, it would continue to have a separate identity. That's the case in Ponte Vedra and other areas. Hastings has a long history, and we wouldn't want to see that lost," Manuel said.
Barnes says Hastings isn't the town it once was and that the town government is "just one more layer of bureaucracy."
Barnes, who grew up in Hastings, had lived elsewhere before eventually deciding to return and open a restaurant. Johnny's Kitchen has become a popular eating place, and Barnes holds numerous fundraisers for the library in Hastings.
He's also been a supporter of Hope House, a licensed establishment that takes in boys in need of a home.
He remembers the days when Hastings was a bustling town with grocery stores, pharmacy, two auto dealerships and a ladies' dress shop.
"There's not a Hastings anymore," Barnes said, pointing toward the Main Street where there are a number of empty buildings.
Ward said Barnes went off and now has come back.
"He hasn't been here trying to solve the problems," he said.
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/031008/news_031008021.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
No comments:
Post a Comment