By: Glenn Harbison / glenn@fanninbasincitizen.com

 A stricter noise ordinance and higher water rates are in the future for Copperhill residents. 

The city’s Board of Aldermen discussed both at their regular June meeting with Mayor Greg Barker outlining what lies ahead. 

“We’ve been having issues with noise in the city from our commercial folks,” Barker said. 

He continues, “I don’t want to hurt businesses (but) if we allow this to continue we will get more.” 

Barker refereed to a January complain from a resident regarding noise in the central downtown area. 

He said he followed up with a letter in February asking for compliance with the city’s current noise ordinance, which calls for an 11 p.m. quiet time and requires noise not be “excessive.” 

“There’s too much ambiguity in our ordinance,” Barker said.

Saying “our residents are being affected. Children cannot sleep at night,” a video was played with music laced with profanity that could be heard at city hall. Barker said he’s heard the offender at least two times after the 11 p.m. cutoff.

At the end, he told board members there is “Still some noise outside from the one downtown in the center of town” but progress is being made.

The video/audio was from a business at the end of town.

When pressed for his ideas for a new ordinance, Barker said he would say “no amplified music” in town and a quiet time from 8 p.m. until 7 a.m. He also offered a 50-foot limit where amplified noise could be heard from its source.

Alderman Jeff Thomas agreed with a tougher ordinance and said penalties should be tied to the violators beer and liquor license.

Vice Mayor Jake Reuse agreed the problem presented by Barker showed a situation “way over the top” while cautioning it’s “one business that’s creating a huge issue.” Thus, Reuse warned against punishing every business for the actions of one.

He noted that amplified music increases revenue for businesses and in turn tax dollars for the city.

Thomas agreed saying “the issue for us is the hours and the volume,” reiterating, “That’s how you stop it, you go after their beer and liquor license.”

Barker will work on a tougher ordinance to be presented at the July board meeting.

In other business, Barker said a study is in progress for the city’s water rates using numbers from 2024 and 2025.

“It’s very eye opening, we’re losing money,” he said.

He said board members should expect a recommendation for water rate increases at their July meeting.

Reuse noted that if the city does not increase the rates the state will.

While acknowledging that statement, Barker said this will be a city move, but if the state were to step in and take over “the hit would be much bigger.”

Board members also approved the upcoming fiscal year budget, a total of $5,514,698, which includes the General Fund budget of $1,051,111 and the Water Department budget of $4,463,587.