Ark Valley News - Sewer bill fallout continues

Sewer bill fallout continues
By David Dinell
Last Updated: May 26, 2016

The fallout surrounding overcharging sewer bills in Bel Aire continued last week as city leaders faced pointed accusations and are being forced to make difficult decisions.

The issue boiled over during the May 17 city council meeting, where a local business has asked a city council member to resign.

At issue are charges to nine customers between 2003 and 2007 resulting in more than $29,000 of overbilling. The city has acknowledged the mistake, but the subject continues to live on — and likely will for some time.

"This issue is not going to go away any time soon," said Mayor David Austin. "This is a much bigger deal than I thought."

Austin said he has "lost count" of the number of calls and emails he's received from concerned residents.

The topic first came to light when council member Betty Martine said at a workshop meeting that some customers were overcharged for sewer services. She was the city's former clerk and did that billing. Martine said she was doing what she was told.

At the meeting, former mayor Gary O'Neal said Martine meant no harm and was merely doing her job.

O'Neal also said Martine is a "dedicated and loyal person" and she is concerned about Bel Aire.

Caleb Bowers, president of the Sunrise Christian Academy board, said Martine should resign from her position. He said it would be the "right thing" to do.

Others, including O'Neal, said there's no need for that.

"Ms. Martine was a victim of a comedy of errors of a growing city," he said. "I would encourage Betty to not resign."

She also doesn't need to be recalled, he said.

Figuring out water and sewer rates is not as easy as it sounds, O'Neal said, especially for commercial accounts and working with the software the city had at the time. That software has been updated several times since then.

Council member Ramona Becker also said she received many calls on the issue, but reassured people it's not a current problem.

"This happened long ago," she said. "Residents don't have to worry about problems now."

She also supported Martine.

"People have called in support of Betty Martine," she said. "I have heard lots of good thing and support of her."

Despite happening years ago, the issue needs to be resolved, said council member Peggy O'Donnell.

"We need to pay back what we overcharged," she said. "I do not think it's OK to break the law."

Austin apologized on behalf of the city for the problem, and said he would be happy to talk with anyone who has concerns about it.

"I take this overcharging seriously," he said.

To resolve the matter, the council directed the city's attorney to work out a repayment agreement with affected customers.

The entities overbilled were: Sunrise Christian Academy, Sunrise Christian School, Resurrection Church, Tree Top Nursery, Catholic Care Centers' two facilities, the Sedgwick County Fire Station and Heartland Animal Hospital.

In other business, the council:

•Approved appropriations in the amount of $2 million. The higher-than-average amount included payments down on the city's debt. That funding comes from land sales. There also is funding for reconstruction road work on Edgemoor included in it.

•Approving the purchase of three new police vehicles. They are: a 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Explorer for $43,500, a 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Explorer for $33,200 and a 2016 Dodge Charger Police Pursuit vehicle for $42,600 for a total of $119,300.

•Received a dividend check of $11,781 from Lonnie Currier of ICI from the city's insurance policy, which is in a pool of policies with other cities. If the pool does well, dividend checks are distributed.

•Listened as Austin read proclamations declaring National Public Works Week and National Kids to Park Day.

•Approved the purchase of a new backhoe for the Public Works. Two backhoes meet these criteria, John Deere and Caterpillar. Staff has tested both machines and would be happier with either. The low bid was a John Deere 310HL for $110,436 from Murphy Tractor.

•Approved a paving change order with Andale Paving for $7,903. The order deals with the reconstruction of Edgemoor, which includes both new and overlay pavement. "The area to receive the asphalt overlay had several locations that were failing and needed repaired prior to the overlay," Lasher reported. "This repair was not anticipated in the agreement and therefore a needed change." Despite the added cost, the project still comes under the project's estimate.

All five members and the mayor were present. There was one 10-minute executive session for attorney-client privilege. No binding action was taken. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. June 7 at City Hall.