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By Tony Farkas
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TRINITY — The Trinity City Council approved the FY 2023-24 budget on Thursday, one that includes some fee hikes for city services and increases municipal court fines.
The new fee for solid waste disposal was increased 7.5 percent for residences and $5 for businesses; the monthly charge for solid waste disposal services for residences will be $18.54.
City Manager Tim King said the increases were necessary to keep up with expenses.
Water rates will now be $27.83 for 2,000 gallons or less, and $4.62 per 1,000 gallons thereafter for residences within the city limits, and $46.20/$5 for those outside city limits.
Sewer rates will run from $13.78 to a maximum of $21.24.
The overall general expenditures are expected to be $2.076 million, and $4.41 million with sewer, water and solid waste added in.
In a separate matter, the council ended up in executive session after County Attorney Colton Hay discussed a lack of communication between his office and the Police Department.
Hay said that it came to his attention that his services in prosecuting cases in Municipal Court were less than effective, and that the Police Chief recommended the city hire its own prosecutor.
Hay handles prosecution in cases for Trinity every 2 months for no charge.
Hay also said the sentiment may have come from an instance where he dismisses charges in 20 cases as the officer who handled the tickets failed to show up for trial, leaving him with no evidence.
Police Chief Daniel Kee said that if there are complaints against him, it should be handled in writing to the mayor and not in a public forum, which was echoed by Mayor Billy Goodin, who said he did not like discussing employee performance in public as well as not having a chance to discuss the matter beforehand.
The council then moved the matter into executive session.
In other business, the council:
•discussed a mobile health care service that hopes to visit the Trinity area monthly;
•tabled approving a tiny home community until questions about utilities were researched;
•approved an ordinance required the upkeep and removal of signs; and
•approved the city’s holiday calendar for the coming fiscal year.
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