EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – Are residents paying more than needed for water to subsidize other city operations? And if the city collects more than needed, should water bills decline? Councilman Andrew Kowalski raised those issues Monday during the City Council meeting. The city transferred $100,000 from water receipts to support general city operations. The transfer came in the form of a new “franchise fee.” The council approved the city budget with the new fee. City leaders created the fee to conform to a state audit that called on the city to justify why money should go from the water to the general fund. Without the transfer, some general fund expenses would not be paid. City Manager Molly McGovern said the fee covers costs the city incurs to keep rights of way clear. “I wanted to establish (funds) were being transferred for ‘purpose,’” McGovern told the council. “Like the electric, gas and telephone companies, who all use the rights of way, water and sewer also use our rights of way…