WAITSBURG—In July of 2020, the Waitsburg City Council voted to implement a $10 utility tax to help fund flood recovery efforts with the increase to be implemented in two phases. The first increase of $5 went into effect immediately after the vote. The second $5 increase went into effect on January 1, 2021, and some Waitsburg residents have voiced questions over slightly higher utility bills this month.

At the time of the July meeting, the city estimated it would be responsible for $450,000.00 in flood-related repair costs, representing roughly 20% of the total cost of $1.3 million.

Befor...