Solution sought for Trimble utility bill scofflaws

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Utility bill delinquents have cost Trimble almost $5,000 in the last year in unpaid natural gas and water payments, a problem Mayor Jim Stark said the board needs to examine.

"It's time we need to explore a solution," said Stark. "We are at risk for great losses."

The problem is mainly from rental properties, said Stark. Trimble does not require the property owner to arrange service, pay a deposit or assure monthly payments. When the renter leaves, it's possible to leave almost two months worth of service before the cut-off.

City clerk Joyce Scobey said a $900 bill owed by a former renter who lived in a local trailer park is the single largest overdue amount. The rest is spread across 57 others.

Stark, who owns two rental properties in the town, wants to make property owners liable for the utility bills in the places they rent. He said the city of Troy has a similar policy in place "and they don't have the problem anymore."

Aldermen James A. Davis, Kenneth Galloway and Raymond Ballard opposed putting the burden on the property owner.

Stark said he would work to find options to put before the board's next meeting in May.

Comments

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WHY SHOULD THE LANDOWNER EVEN BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS PROBLEM? SHOULD THE CITY NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PROBLEM THAT IS CREATED AT CITY HALL? CITY HALL'S INABILITY TO FIGURE THE PROBLEM AND WHERE IT LIES IS EVIDENCE THAT THEY JUST MIGHT BE INCAPABLE OF THEIR POSITIONS. AND BY THE WAY ,WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO LAWSUITS FOR COLLECTION? THIS HAS WORKED BEFORE AND SHOULD BE A TOOL THAT THEY LOOK AT.THEY DO HAVE AN ATTORNEY DON'T THEY.

-- Posted by jim ring on Tue, Apr 8, 2008, at 6:34 PM

I dont believe that it should be the property owners responsibility either

-- Posted by Christain1 on Wed, Apr 9, 2008, at 1:16 AM

The property owners SHOULD be held accountable since they don't seem to care who or what moves into their rental houses. Maybe this will make the property owners be a little more selective in who they rent to. I wonder how may rental properties Galloway, Ballard, and Davis own in Trimble since they are opposed to property owners being held accountable.

-- Posted by tellitlikeitis on Wed, Apr 9, 2008, at 9:41 AM

www.trimbletennessee.com

-- Posted by Trimblite on Wed, Apr 9, 2008, at 10:11 AM

Most all utility providers in any area I have resided charge a renter a much larger deposit than a homeowner. Fees are usually based on a two month average of the previous bills. Then, if the renter/owner are timely in their payments the deposits are refunded after a period of time. The city should also remember they must pay interest on any deposits they accept.

-- Posted by cadizpub on Wed, Apr 9, 2008, at 10:34 AM

The city of Trimble is a political subdivision of the State, a chartered municipal government,and therefore required to follow the regulations of the Comptroller of the Treasury and the City's bond resolution covenants. Therefore, the customer is responsible for the payment of utility service and other duly authorized charges. It is the responsibility of a city to have a policy in place for the discontinuance of service for the nonpayment of bills and furthermore, must enforce that policy. The city utilities are run for the benefit of all present and future customers. While no customer is to be treated unfairly intentionally, no customer should be treated in any way that compromises the interests of other customers, current or future. That said, establish a policy that sets a fee for rental units above the property owner rate. ie. $50.00 for rental units plus the regular new customer fee of $20.00. The last water bill is taken from the $50.00 and that balance if any is returned to the customer. Make sure you discontinue service promptly if the bills are not paid. Send delinquint accounts to a collection agency. Make your policy. Stick to your policy. Remember you are not another social welfare agency.

-- Posted by waterman on Wed, Apr 9, 2008, at 2:50 PM

Waterman, or should I say Mr. Stark, good luck making your policy stick when the members of your board "remain silent" and want a definite "I don't know" to issues that are brought before them.

-- Posted by tellitlikeitis on Wed, Apr 9, 2008, at 8:13 PM

Waterman is not the Mayor. However, Waterman has been doing this for years and has been doing it the correct way which has resulted in much success. My advise is for municipal leaders to stand up an do what is correct and not worry about getting elected. Many times elected officials spend more time worrying about what toes they might step on rather than do the right thing. Make the rules, follow the rules or go home and let someone else do the job.

-- Posted by waterman on Thu, Apr 10, 2008, at 10:33 AM