City Passes Budget, Says Goodbye to Rick Laughridge

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson City Council on Monday gave unanimous final approval to the $87.5 million fiscal year 2024-2025 budget, which includes funding for the $13.75 million Linley Park Project, $240,000 in additional funding for public safety, a three-percent raises for all employees, six new firefighters and no tax increase or increases in monthly utility fees, stormwater, or sanitation fees, though there will be an increase in tap fees, capacity fees, and pretreatment fees.

Residential sewer tap fees will increase from $1,000 to $2,000, and the residential capacity fee from $600 to $1,500, in the new budget, to keep up with growth in the city. The 3/4” water tap fee will be hiked from $1,000 to $1,500 while the 1” tap fee will change from $1,200 to the Cost of the line plus 25 percent.

Approved $396,000 in American Rescue Act funds for replacement of the drainage pipe that runs south-east along rear property lines from East Calhoun Street to North Street.

Council on Monday also asked the planning commission to rezone 710 West Mauldin Street from single family to multi-family residential.

Assistant City Manager Andrew Strickland said the request was made to build a duplex on the lot, which not large enough for two single family lots.

Council also said goodbye to longtime Seat 6 City Council Member Rick Laughridge, who is retiring after serving 16 years.

Laughridge said his time on council had been an important part of his life, and he praised each of his council members individually in his remarks, in which he quoted Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

“I want to charge members of council with doing just that, bringing this beautiful community8 together, making it greater, making it better.”