Massive shut-off authorized for 72 customers

By Murray Bishoff/Special to the Cassville Democrat

The Purdy City Council authorized a massive shut-off of water services to unpaid customers during its August meeting. 

Clerk Katy Prock, noting council members discussed raising water rates, presented a list of 72 customers with water bills in arrears, representing 15 percent of the customer base and a total of $12,031.32 in overdue bills. She also presented the city ordinance, which states overdue bills receive a penalty, and bills left unpaid by the 20th of the month will be turned off. 

Some, she said, have worked out payment agreements with the city, though the ordinance offers no provision for such deals. Many who have payment agreements never catch up on the overdue amounts.

Council members were flabbergasted. Prock said she thinks the situation simply continues what happened before she began as clerk. Several cut-offs were scheduled, but the process for that decision seemed not consistent for all customers. 

“That’s not good business,” said Alderwoman Heather Van Note. “We need to get this under control.” 

Prock said everyone on the list already received late notices and did not warrant additional notification. 

The council directed Public Works Foreman Kevin Cook to buy enough locks and clam shells, costing approximately $700, to shut off all customers who were past due. 

Van Note said the city must honor its payment arrangements, but no further deals would be struck. Anyone overdue on their bills would see service suspended and have to come before the city council if they wanted to appeal their status or pursue a payment deal. 

Cook planned to order the necessary locks for the water meter boxes immediately and use the locks he had on hand to begin stopping services. 

With the city’s electronic metering system, Cook noted the city may receive notice of a water leak at a residence while the owner was out of town. Council members agreed they would look at extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis. 

Van Note said the council “had to start somewhere” addressing the situation, and would look at what happens following Cook’s action at the next meeting on Sept. 9.