Marion looking at tweaks to Water Dept. policies

Marion looking at tweaks to Water Dept. policies

Quicker shut- offs, higher deposits aimed at curbing losses

news@theeveningtimes.com Customers in Marion who don’t pay their water bill could have service shut off as early as two weeks after the due date.

Residents will also be billed for any damage to the water meter antennas and lids and new customers may be charged a bigger deposit.

Mayor Frank Fogleman said those are just a few changes under consideration in order to better protect the city from getting stuck with the bill.

“No decisions have been made,” Fogleman said. “But we are considering altering our cut off policy, re-evaluating our re-connect fees, and the increasing problem of damage to the antennas.”

Marion currently charges a $100 deposit on all new water accounts but the amount is not covering the amount owed by the customer when the city has to shut the account off for non-payment.

Fogleman said the city allows about two months before they cut the water off.

“There were some customers that were leaving town without paying their bills and leaving us holding the bag,” Fogleman said.

“And the deposit was not enough to cover it.”

Water Department Manager Jim Shempert told the water and sewer committee that the City of Alma cuts off delinquent accounts after two weeks.

Marion mails out water bills around the 25th of the month. Bills are due on the 10th of each month.

Fogleman said Alma has the shortest cut-off tie that they studied. Marion was taking about 75 days before shutting of the utility.

“I don’t think anyone would quarrel that ours needs to go down,” Fogleman said.

Councilman Cliff Wood said he likes the two week cut-off period.

“I’d rather shorten the time,” Wood said. “I think two weeks is plenty.”

Councilman David Bigger asked Shempert to call other cities and report back with more ideas.

“I’d like to know more about what other cities are doing,” Bigger said.

“We’ll talk to a few more,” Shempert responded.

The committee also discussed setting the fees to replace broken antennas on the water meters.

Fogleman said a lot of customers are mowing over the meters and damaging the antennas and the box around the meter.

“Jim (Shempert) says 90 percent of damage comes from mowing over it,” Fogleman said.

In fact, the city has four work orders now to replace antennas and has already had to replace anywhere from 50 to 100.

Fogleman said it costs the city $135 for a new antenna, $15 for a new lid, and an hour of labor. The city can lower the meter box but will charge $75 to do it.

“If it gets damaged, we’ll fix it,” Fogleman said. “But we’re going to charge you.” Stuttgart charges customers $500 to replace the antenna.

Wood suggested the city charge customers for the cost of the antenna and box, plus 20 percent — or about $180.

“That’s just my thought,” Wood said.

The water and sewer committee also is considering adjusting the bills of customers who have a leak.

The city currently will waive the first month sewer bill for customers if the leak is in the ground and not going into the sewer system. The committee agreed to increase that to two months.

“We’ve been giving them credit for one,” Fogleman said. “I think two months is ample time to get a repair made.”

The city has had 512 meters with leaks but only 109 have had leaks averaging over ten gallons an hour.

The new metering system does detect for leaks and sends automated messages to customers alerting them when the meter reading shows excessive water use.

Lastly, the committee also discussed pro-rating the garbage fee for new water customers. Customers who connect before the 15th of the month will be billed $3.75 a week. Those who hook up after the 15th will not be charged for that billing cycle.

Fogleman said the city plans to mail out letters to all water customers announcing the changes.

“This is just food for thought,” Fogleman said.

“Whatever we decide on changes, we feel it is best to mail a letter explaining the changes.”

By Mark Randall