Branson's water and sewage services to cost more - Springfield News-Leader

The Branson Board of Aldermen on Monday approved a 5 percent increase in water rates andThe increase is part of a five-year plan intended to reverse the trend of transferring funds from a tourism and capital improvement tax to subsidize the water and sewage fund. This is the third year of the rate increase schedule. City officials said water and sewage rates may have to be increased again in the 2009 fiscal year because of unforeseen cost increases for electricity, chemicals and fuel. The city will study the effects of the rising costs. Aldermen also approved the first reading of a proposal to increase some program fees in the Parks and Recreation Department, including RV rental space and aquatic center admission. The increases were proposed because maintenance expenses have outpaced revenues and the city wants to make the programs less dependent on subsidies from other funds. On first reading of the bill, the board approved increasing the cost to rent an RV space at the city-owned campground from $23 to $25 a day. The daily fee for the aquatic center at the RecPlex would increase by $1, and the fee for renting the aquatic center would go up $25, from $100 to $125, the city said. Fees for the Pitch 'N Putt nine-hole golf course would rise from $6 to $10 for adults and from $4 to $6 for ages 18 and under. -- http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com