Grand Junction Board approves new holiday for city employees

A new holiday for Grand Junction employees has been approved by the board of aldermen.  In the new business segment of their April meeting, the board unanimously voted for a motion adding the Friday following Thanksgiving to the city’s holiday schedule. In other new business, the board also approved hiring Bob Doll to complete the city’s required annual audit.
    Mayor Curtis Lane held the first reading of Ordinance 15-2, which is the 2015-2016 proposed budget. He prefaced the reading by informing the board there will be no tax increase in the coming year.
“We intend to address any budget shortfalls through savings in operating costs,” said Lane.
    The board also heard the first reading of Ordinance 15-1, which addresses increased water rates for customers living outside the Grand Junction city limits. When finalized, the ordinance will, on average, increase those customers’ water bill by approximately twelve percent. This increase was brought about by a recommendation from the State of Tennessee. By law, if a municipality does not act, the State may step in and set the water rate.
    This same ordinance also sets increased rates for installing new service. After many years without an increase, the city has reached a point where new installation costs more than the fees currently collected. Included in the same ordinance are new requirements for restoring water service which has been disconnected for non-payment.

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