SWARK Today

Near the end of the Prescott City Council's October meeting Monday night at the Senior Adult Center, a suggestion came from a citizen regarding the city's policy of requiring its water utility customers to immediately and fully pay for water losses in the event of catastrophic leaks.

The full video of the meeting can be found below this story.

During citizen comments, Clay Wingfield reported to council that his apartment experienced a water leak while he was on vacation, resulting in a water bill of $595. Wingfield explained that when something similar happened when he lived in Emerson, Magnolia and Okolona, ​​the policy was different from Prescott's.

“They all had a policy where they could adjust the water bill in the event of a catastrophic leak. And two of them took three or four months off your last average water bill and charged that month if you had a big leak, and another charged ten percent, so I hope you all take one of those suggestions “Consider and establish a policy to help your residents if a catastrophic water leak does occur,” Wingfield said, adding that another option is to not charge ratepayers for a once-a-year leak to invoice.

Council member Ivory Curry said: “I feel you. I had to pay $800 a month.”

Councilman Howard Austin said, “We had one for $500 in our deer camp where it froze and the pipe broke.”

Prescott Water Supervisor Perry Nelson addressed the issue: “The ordinance says you have to charge for the water you use, and if the meter is on, the responsibility falls on the customer. When you get to this area [writing off a bill for a leak]One person's leak is more than 1,000 gallons, the other's is more than $800 [average]. There's a big difference between the leaks.” He explained that when Howard Taylor was mayor of Prescott, the city decided not to write off bills for water leaks. Nelson said he tried to find the specific ordinance.

Councilman Curry said he also had to pay for another major leak after subfreezing temperatures caused a leak at his dry cleaning business.

“We worked 24 hours after each frost to ensure there was enough water in the system to supply everyone as there were leaks everywhere. We left it running and turned it off to ensure the system remained intact. The city spent a lot of money related to the leaks. “It wasn't this particular leak, but rather it was other freezes and outages due to our winter storms,” Nelson said.

“Water is no longer cheap,” Nelson continued. “It takes a lot to produce it and a lot to maintain it. What you do is up to all of you. But we follow the regulations we have.”

Here Councilor Phyllis Hicks said: “I think it wouldn’t hurt to have a policy for citizens in the event of a catastrophic event.”

Council member Patricia Roberts explained that because of citizen comment rules, the council cannot immediately make a decision or express its preferences regarding its policy on water system leaks.

Mayor Terry Oliver told Wingfield, “Thank you for bringing this to our attention,” and then said, “We will study the facts and figures.” Does anyone have any questions?”

Austin acknowledged the issue would be discussed at another time, but said it was important for the council to make good decisions given the changing circumstances.

“That’s why the council is here. To do what we can. We must remember that things change every day. So we have to think about how we can change things and make it better for our citizens because if we want a bond to pass, whenever we come to our citizens to vote for this or that, we have to do it “What we can do for our citizens.”

Wingfield said his bill is due Tuesday. “Do I have to go ahead and pay for it?”

City Business Manager Bruce Bean said the city would accept what Wingfield regularly pays for water and set aside the leak fee to create an opportunity to discuss the matter. “Thank you,” Wingfield said.

After Wingfield spoke, Sanitation Superintendent Chris Hopper urged residents to separate their Class IV trash, appliances and furniture materials from their regular bagged trash. This creates difficulties for sanitation workers, he said. When asked whether notices in residents' bills were effective, he replied that no one reads these notices.

In addition, the council unanimously approved an amendment to the 2024 budget submitted by city accountant Carl Dalrymple to account for the purchase of a truck and $24,000 in landfill costs. The city covers 54 percent of the costs, while the district covers 46 percent.

Austin said he noticed the county has started charging deer camps for waste disposal. He asked Dalrymple if the money collected would be used to cover 46 percent of the county's costs. Dalrymple replied that this was the case. Austin said he wants the city to get to a point where the county covers a fairer share of landfill costs.

The council also passed resolutions to rent equipment for use by the city. The first resolution involved the lease of a 2024 Peterbilt garbage truck for $3,235.31 per month for 24 months, with Cadence Bank holding the lease. The second amount was for a new Caterpillar skid steer loader for $1,161.80 per month for three years, financed by Caterpillar Finance Corporation. The third amount was for a new mini excavator for $1,941.55 per month for 36 months from Kubota Credit Corporation. Each item can be purchased directly from the City if maximum payments are made at the end of each lease.

The meeting began with approval of September meeting minutes, approval of financial statements and reports from Jamie Hillery, director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, and Mary Goodwin, director of economic development for Prescott-Nevada County.

Hillery reported that the Fall Festival/Trade Day, held Oct. 12, was a success, due in part to the nice weather that day. She announced that Trick or Treat is underway on Elm Street with 30 vendors in attendance and is scheduled for Thursday, October 31st at 5:30 p.m

She also revealed that The Giving Tree program, which benefited 68 children last year, is still looking for children from low-income families to be nominated. “If you know families whose children need essentials, jackets, clothes, socks, shoes, etc., then this project is specifically tailored for the holidays,” she said. Registration for the program begins November 4th. Hillary's email reads [email protected] for those who want to get involved, either to receive gifts or to give gifts.

Mary Godwin said Nevada County's upcoming leadership course, scheduled to begin in January 2025, is still open to participants, although only 10 can be accepted. She said door hangers have been printed out to be hung on the doors of residents who take good care of their property. An announcement of good news from the Holcim site is expected and will occur as soon as the company allows it.

Mayor Oliver said Councilman Ivory Curry recently completed 25 hours of Civilpedia certification.

The meeting ended after 43 minutes.