By HOLLY GASKILL
A nearly 20% delinquency for bills from the Regional Sewer District has left some board members frustrated and looking for solutions.
“It’s not like a rounding error that I’m frustrated with,” board member Andy Stoller said. “I’m frustrated with the fact this is a (80%) of collections. I don’t know what to do about it.”
The RSD collected over $5,000, or roughly 17%, less than it should have in the June report. The number of customers paying their bills is even less — roughly 72%. Board member Leon Berning emphasized that delinquency wasn’t concentrated in one area.
Because of this, Stoller argued the board needed consistent enforcement of their bills.
“This is a major problem. I mean, this cash flow is going to continue to be a major problem,” Stoller said.
Superintendent Lewis Brown said the board has previously filed liens against properties, sent pre-lien notices, and he had personally spoken with some property owners. This time, the board unanimously agreed there were too many property owners for Brown to manage them this closely.
Stoller said the board should also investigate other options for collections, which board attorney Mark Burry said he would do. Stoller emphasized that this pattern couldn’t be continued with their budget, which the other board members concurred.
“We don’t have a council that supports us as far as I can throw this table, alright? So we’re not going to get bailed out by anybody else,” Stoller concluded.
Also during the meeting, Brown said the board should consider adding a penalty fee for a failure to update billing information within 10 days of closing on a property. Brown said realtors have not been accountable for communicating about billing, and a fee may encourage compliance.
Brown said he was working to resolve an issue in Craigville, where ants were “causing havoc” with a control panel. Several more sewer connections have been made in the area in the meantime. In Liberty Center, the last house needing to be connected has been sold to a new owner who will begin the process soon.
Brown then presented a job description for part-time help. He also discussed hiring some help with siphoning issues, but the board worried about training procedures.
Additionally, there may be an interlocal agreement with Adams County for maintenance, but Brown said he was told that an agreement might be “lopsided” since Adams County had more manpower.
Also during the meeting:
• A resident expressed concern that the RSD’s website was not current with project updates. Stoller advised the board did not have the finances to do so.
• The board discussed adding connection information to properties on GIS.
holly@news-banner.com
