DAPHNE, Ala. — The City Council voted 5-1 in favor of appropriating $60,750 to pay Daphne Utilities for past fire-hydrant maintenance.

Councilman Greg Burnam cast the lone dissenting vote. Council President John Lake was absent.

Councilwoman Cathy Barnette said the past-due bill is a result of poor communication between Daphne Utilities and the city.

“We did not properly communicate the removal of this from our budget,” she said.

Mayor Fred Small questioned the need to appropriate funds for the utility to flush the hydrants, a task he contended should be performed at no cost to the city.

“I think it is now time for the utility to do the fire-hydrant maintenance,” Small said. “The hydrants belong to the utility. I don’t think the city should be burdened anymore. Fire-hydrant maintenance is part of being a utility.”

Small suggested that the maintenance not be budgeted for next year.

After confirming that customers’ rates would increase if the utility had to pay for flushing tests, Rob McElroy, the utility’s general manager, said, “That’s the crux of the whole issue. Fire/water is a non-revenue generating service for us.”

Annual fire-flow capability tests are performed to maintain fire ratings; lower ratings can lower insurance rates.

“If we’re going to do it,” McElroy said, “we’re going to have to be paid for it.”

Councilman Derek Boulware, who sits on the Finance Committee, said the committee recommended the owed sum be paid to the utility.

Councilman Ron Scott, who serves on both the Daphne Utilities board and the Finance Committee, said, “There’s no doubt fire hydrant maintenance is important. It’s critical. You want those fire hydrants working in an emergency.”