The “Let’s Make a Deal” days when it comes to utility bills are done. That’s the message sent by the passing of Ordinance #1665 at Tuesday night’s Carmi City Council meeting. Mayor Bill Stendeback set the scene prior to asking the council to consider taking action.
In the past, when it gets close to shut off day, it’s a ‘lets make a deal day’ and it’s out of control. Unfortunately, in the end, we’re hurting the city and the individual because what happens is if we don’t turn them off and send that message, they give us a promise to pay and then they don’t pay as promised as promised and nobody catches that because that happens. And then next months bill comes around and then instead of $350 in the hole, they’re $700 in the hole. They couldn’t come up with the $350 and now they can’t come up with the $700. About the next round that happens, they’re looking for another place to live and we’re stuck with the bill. And that happens more than I think anybody realizes. So what this does is it addresses and takes away ‘lets make a deal day’.
The ordinance will take away the ability for anyone in the office to bargain and sets a precedent. Customers due for shutoff will get a tag on their door about 10 days prior. At that point, they’ll have 7 days to request a hearing regarding their hardship. The mayor says the policy isn’t to turn a blind eye toward those on hard times; it’s meant to take pressing on the empathy of office workers out of play.
I understand, believe me. I’ve been in those peoples shoes before in my lifetime…when we were young and had four kids, but you’ve got to figure it out. You know it’s coming.
Council unanimously passed the ordinance, minus councilman Jeremy Courson who was absent.
Most of the rest of the 25 minute meeting was procedural in nature with resolutions closing the NEU Funds checking account due to the project it being attached to complete as well as resolutions for Burrell Park funds (closing a Money Market account and putting those dollars in the checking account – $3,069.60 and reissuing a CD amounting to $9,045.48).
Council also formally voted to close off streets for Corn Day including Robinson from First Mid (minus the ATM drive thru) to Dartt & Company on Walnut for rides 6pm on October 8th – 11:59pm on October 11th. Also closed will be Church Street between Main Street to the alley between Robinson and Kerney for the same period.
Two resolutions were passed to allow Mayor Bill Stendeback to work with Tyler Technology and Global Payment. Those companies handle the billing software and credit card processing. Stendeback has been working to find a way around or to offset the thousands upon thousands of dollars the city is eating in fees. At last check, the city is on pace to pay around $300,000 this year in fees alone that they can’t pass along to customers who pay their bills with plastic.
The city is also dealing with the old landfill. The 50 acres was established as a landfill in the late 70s on the property of Charles Givens north of Burrells Woods. A lawsuit was was filed in late 2014 versus White County and also Carmi, Maunie, Crossville, Grayville, Norris City, and Enfield. Former County Clerk Paula Dozier, in attendance Tuesday night, spoke on it.
Unfortunately, the permit is where it got messed up. For some ungodly reason, the Illinois EPA permitted that in White County’s name and Mr. Givens name so that was the reason there was such a battle. He has to make sure he’s indemnified because that permit ended up in his name. We didn’t know that until it was time to close the landfill.
The city is responsible for 35.97% of payments with regards to EPA soil testing and owes $27,549.90. Council voted to pay the bill.
Finally, the city of Carmi approved payment of real estate taxes for property they own at 311 West Fackney amounting to $111.10 and agreed to a closure of an alley behind the Carmi Elks Lodge for Corn Day.
With no executive session, council adjourned at 5:55pm.