Building slump cuts earnings from sewer

In addition to all of the tax revenue streams city officials expect to fall in 2009, the outlook for the traditionally profitable municipal sewer business is gloomy.

For years, the city’s sewer operations not only paid for themselves, they helped Orange Beach amass a $6.3 million reserve fund — a cache that has been a boon to municipal officials as they grapple with steep declines in revenue and unprecedented budget shortfalls.

But with the development activity that fueled that windfall all but halted, elected leaders are warning constituents to be mindful of the fact that the monthly fees they pay — $20 for customers within the city limits, $30 for those outside — aren’t enough to fund Orange Beach’s sewer system

Building slump cuts earnings from sewer