Are drainage fees a money grab for Buda?

By Jessica Breger

As Buda City Council debates enacting a drainage utility fee, Mayor Todd Ruge told the 20 or so residents who attended a recent public meeting, “It’s not a money grab.”

At the May 27 session, the first of two planned public meetings, HDR Inc. project manager Grady Reed told audience members the proposed fee would appear on Buda water customers’ bills. That fee would be dedicated solely to drainage projects and maintenance, an area Reed said is often overlooked when spending general fund money. HDR is an engineering, architecture and construction services firm.