DAPHNE, Ala. — The City Council on Monday will revisit its Sept. 8, 5-1 decision to pay back $60,750 in owed fees for fire-hydrant maintenance to Daphne Utilities as Mayor Fred Small has placed a veto to the ordinance to appropriate the funds on the next business agenda.

In the original vote, Councilman Greg Burnam was the lone dissenter; Council President John Lake was absent.

“I did tell the utility’s G.M. (general manager, Rob McElroy) that the council had removed that amount of money from the budget,” Small said, adding that if McElroy wanted to challenge the council’s decision that he should attend a work session.

McElroy presented his case to the council at a July 13 work session, during which he declared the utility was owed, and expected, payment.

“I feel like it’s part of their responsibility,” Small said of the utility.

Small confirmed that an appropriation to Daphne Utilities to perform fire-hydrant flushing in 2009-10 has not been budgeted.

McElroy did not immediately return a Daphne Bulletin reporter’s request for an interview before press deadline.

At the last council business meeting, Small contended that the task of flushing fire hydrants should be performed at no cost to the city.

At the same meeting, Councilwoman Cathy Barnette said the past-due bill was a result of poor communication between the city and Daphne Utilities.

She added that the utility performed the hydrant flushing before the city could remove the appropriation from its budget.

After the last meeting, McElroy said customer rates would increase if the utility had to pay for flushing tests, adding that fire/water services do not generate revenue for the utility.

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

Fire hydrants are flushed to test their fire flow capabilities. Lower ratings can translate into lower insurance rates.

The next city council meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday in the council chambers at City Hall.