The Bruce board unanimously approved a water rate increase Tuesday night.
The increase is 10 cents per tier and will take effect in October. Alderman Steve Nelson said that increase will result in an approximate 20 cent increase for low end users, while the heaviest users in the city, in excess of $300,000 gallons per month, could see an increase of up to $60 per month.
Mayor Rudy Pope explained the increases are needed for improvements to the system. He noted the city has been approved for a grant to repair the well at the old armory, but the well on North Newberger will likely need the same work and that will be paid by the city.
“Then we’re going to have to clean our tanks also, and we’re going to try and get that done as soon as possible,” Pope said. “I’m tired of worrying about our water. I want to get it all right.”
Stan Evans
In another matter, Alderman Danny Rodgers asked Police Chief Stan Evans to answer questions from several citizens regarding Bruce police officers in Bruce police cars seen in areas well out of Bruce.
“I’m not mad at anyone,” Rodgers told Evans. “I was just asked by about five different citizens to get an answer for this.”
Rodgers said the complaints he received involved Bruce officers leaving Bruce to answer calls elsewhere and driving their cars home to Lafayette County, Drivers Flat, Derma and elsewhere.
“We’re not responsible for providing vehicles for people to ride to work,” Board Attorney Jim Beckett said when asked, “but that’s the prerogative of the board.”
Chief Evans confirmed Bruce officers in Bruce patrol cars have responded to calls elsewhere, but said it was for “backup purposes.”
“If they call for us, we go,” Evans said. “We’re a small community. We have to help each other.”
“I told Stan I want him to go help people, because at times we’ll need help too,” Mayor Pope said.
In other news, the board approved several items related to extending city sewer service to the Bruce Community Living Center through a grant the city is seeking through the Mississippi Development Authority.
Mayor Rudy Pope explained the sewerage treatment plant at the nursing home is in bad shape and that this project would run a sewer line from the facility directly to the city lagoon.
Board approved advertisement seeking a used 18-wheeler for the public works department for hauling rock and other needs.
The board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Willie Malone as a part-time employee.
Malone addressed the board saying he is being forced to resign due to a domestic violence situation away from Bruce and complained he hasn’t been treated fairly by Chief Stan Evans.
Chief Evans and Park Director Mark Ferguson both refuted Malone’s accusations.
“He was on probation,” Mayor Pope said. “We gave him a chance and he messed up. Nobody forced him to do anything. He resigned.”
The board approved a low quote from Floyd Harris of $3,100 to replace the air conditioner at the community building at Bruce Park.
The board approved the purchase of $5,984 worth of turnouts for the Bruce Fire Department.
The board declined to enter a bad debt sharing system with other towns for water bills owed.