In May 2026 the council reviewed the Water Fund budget based on Georgia Rural Water's projections and discussed a $25,000 transfer from the General Fund to the Water Fund.
Historical recordTallulah Fallsarchived · approved
Tallulah Falls Town Council adopts ordinance for automatic 5% annual water rate increases
The council's action means residents' water bills will rise automatically each year going forward, without a separate vote each time.
Latest
May 27, 2026: General Fund subsidy transfer to Water Fund
At a glance
What this means now
The story
In August 2025, Georgia Rural Water Association representative Bill Powell presented the Town Council an updated business plan for the water system. Town records noted it had been seven years since water rates were changed, and the town was working with Georgia Rural Water to update the rate structure.
The following month, with the town now buying all its water from the City of Demorest, the plan presented to council proposed a five-year schedule of 5% annual increases to the average residential bill. Councilperson Augustine moved to table the discussion until the next month, and the council approved that unanimously.
In October 2025 the matter was tabled again while the town attorney finished drafting the ordinance. Council also discussed that Demorest itself was raising the rate it charges the town, from $4.18 to $4.30 per thousand gallons.
On November 13, 2025, the council adopted the water rate ordinance establishing automatic 5% annual increases. Councilperson Weatherly's motion to adopt was seconded by Councilperson Franklin and passed unanimously.
In May 2026 the council reviewed the Water Fund budget based on Georgia Rural Water's projections and discussed a $25,000 transfer from the General Fund to the Water Fund.
What happened
How this issue got here
Open any step for its supporting record. A proposal remains labeled as proposed until later evidence establishes an outcome.
DiscusseddiscussedWater Fund budget and rate increases
Lapeyrouse reviewed the Water Fund budget based on Georgia Rural Water projections.
+
Water Fund budget and rate increases
Lapeyrouse reviewed the Water Fund budget based on Georgia Rural Water projections.
DiscusseddiscussedGeneral Fund to Water Fund subsidy transfer
The Council discussed the $25,000 transfer from the General Fund to the Water Fund in relation to
projections prepared by Bill Powell with Georgia Rural Water.
+
General Fund to Water Fund subsidy transfer
The Council discussed the $25,000 transfer from the General Fund to the Water Fund in relation to projections prepared by Bill Powell with Georgia Rural Water.
DiscusseddiscussedGeneral Fund subsidy transfer to Water Fund
The Council discussed the $25,000 transfer from the General Fund to the Water Fund in relation to
+
General Fund subsidy transfer to Water Fund
The Council discussed the $25,000 transfer from the General Fund to the Water Fund in relation to
Appeared on agendaproposedWater Rate Ordinance
B. Water Rate Ordinance
C. Rock House Plan Review and Cost Estimates
+
Water Rate Ordinance
B. Water Rate Ordinance C. Rock House Plan Review and Cost Estimates
ApprovedconfirmedWater rate ordinance establishing automatic 5% annual increases
A motion to adopt the water rate ordinance was
made by Councilperson Weatherly, seconded by Councilperson Franklin and unanimously
approved.
+
Water rate ordinance establishing automatic 5% annual increases
A motion to adopt the water rate ordinance was made by Councilperson Weatherly, seconded by Councilperson Franklin and unanimously approved.
Appeared on agendaproposedWater rate ordinance
B. Water Rate Ordinance
+
Water rate ordinance
B. Water Rate Ordinance
TabledconfirmedWater business plan and related ordinance, tabled pending attorney finalization
Teri Dobbs asked if the updated water business plan discussion is tabled again. The response was yes. We are waiting on the ordinance to be finalized by the attorney.
+
Water business plan and related ordinance, tabled pending attorney finalization
Teri Dobbs asked if the updated water business plan discussion is tabled again. The response was yes. We are waiting on the ordinance to be finalized by the attorney.
TabledunknownWater rate increase / water business plan ordinance
The town was at $4.18 per thousand and is going to $4.30.
+
Water rate increase / water business plan ordinance
The town was at $4.18 per thousand and is going to $4.30.
DiscusseddiscussedDemorest water rate increase affecting town water costs
The town was at $4.18 per thousand and is going to $4.30.
+
Demorest water rate increase affecting town water costs
The town was at $4.18 per thousand and is going to $4.30.
Appeared on agendaproposedUpdated Business Plan presentation by Bill Powell, GA Rural Water
Updated Business Plan Bill Powell GA Rural Water
+
Updated Business Plan presentation by Bill Powell, GA Rural Water
Updated Business Plan Bill Powell GA Rural Water
TabledconfirmedUpdated water business plan and multi-year water rate increase (Georgia Rural Water recommendation)
A motion was made by Councilperson Augustine to table the discussion until the next
month, which was seconded by Councilperson Franklin and approved unanimously.
+
Updated water business plan and multi-year water rate increase (Georgia Rural Water recommendation)
A motion was made by Councilperson Augustine to table the discussion until the next month, which was seconded by Councilperson Franklin and approved unanimously.
Appeared on agendaproposedWater system business plan / capacity development self-assessment (source water now purchased from City of Demorest)
Backup for the water system is the
City of Demorest. The Town now buys all their water from the City of Demorest as their
water source.
+
Water system business plan / capacity development self-assessment (source water now purchased from City of Demorest)
Backup for the water system is the City of Demorest. The Town now buys all their water from the City of Demorest as their water source.
Appeared on agendaproposedFive-year water rate increase (5% annual increase on average residential bill starting 2026/2027)
The Town of Tallulah Falls is implementing a 5% rate increase for the average customer using
3,000 gallons of water per month.
+
Five-year water rate increase (5% annual increase on average residential bill starting 2026/2027)
The Town of Tallulah Falls is implementing a 5% rate increase for the average customer using 3,000 gallons of water per month.
TabledunknownUpdate to water department business plan and rate structure
A motion was made by Councilperson Augustine to table the discussion until the next
month, which was seconded by Councilperson Franklin and approved unanimously.
+
Update to water department business plan and rate structure
A motion was made by Councilperson Augustine to table the discussion until the next month, which was seconded by Councilperson Franklin and approved unanimously.
Appeared on agendaproposedUpdated Business Plan presentation by Bill Powell, Georgia Rural Water Association
Updated Business Plan Bill Powell GA Rural Water
+
Updated Business Plan presentation by Bill Powell, Georgia Rural Water Association
Updated Business Plan Bill Powell GA Rural Water
Appeared on agendaproposedUpdated Business Plan presentation by Bill Powell, GA Rural Water
Updated Business Plan – Bill Powell GA Rural Water
+
Updated Business Plan presentation by Bill Powell, GA Rural Water
Updated Business Plan – Bill Powell GA Rural Water
Appeared on agendaproposedWater system rate structure and capital improvement planning self-assessment
It has been seven (7) years since rates were
changed. Working with Georgia Rural Water Association to update the rate structure.
+
Water system rate structure and capital improvement planning self-assessment
It has been seven (7) years since rates were changed. Working with Georgia Rural Water Association to update the rate structure.
Research the record