Water Issues at Jonesboro City Council Meeting

Water system issues dominated the discussion at last night’s meeting of the Town of Jonesboro’s Board of Alderman. Both billing issues and system upkeep were talked about.

Some residents have complained about a $30 reconnection fee that is charged if their account becomes delinquent. It was noted that the 25th of the month is the delinquent date, and that if the customer pays the bill by 4 PM on that date, there is no problem. About a year ago, the council passed a policy resolution addressing the procedure, it was said.

Fiscal Administrator Kenneth Folden noted that a late fee is charged by banks and other institutions if payment is late.

Said Folden, “If you do (business) with almost any company you deal with, it tells you got to be there by a certain time. We started putting it on the bills, we started putting it on the front door, we started trying to let people know that this when you do this.”

If payment isn’t received by that time, then the next day a cutoff notice is issued, Folden said. Councilman-at-Large LaStevic Cottonham added that there is a 30 day grace period after the initial due date, then another 10 days after that before a customer’s water is cut off.

Folden also addressed the poor condition of the water system, and said that the existing rates aren’t sufficient for the system’s upkeep. In addition to the upkeep, there must be sufficient revenue to payoff the bonds under which the system was financed, it was noted.

Water tank maintenance was also mentioned, and it was noted that the town has some certificates of deposit that could be used for that purpose.

Another issue discussed was reapportionment of the four council districts. Folden said he had discussed the issue with North Delta Regional Planning & Development District, Inc, which has done redistricting for other local government agencies. North Delta indicated that they should be able to meet the deadline for the district lines to be redrawn.

The plan has to be complete and submitted to election officials by 8/15/14.

Also discussed was the practice of the town mowing privately owned vacant lots, and then billing the owner for it.

Folden said the amounts billed weren’t enough to pay the cost, and he thinks the practice should be discontinued. It was suggested that owners be provided a list of private companies that could keep the lots mowed.

Several issues were deferred, and will be addressed at a 6/17 special called meeting at 5:00 PM.