The Goodrich City Council discussed water bills and grants in their most recent gathering Thursday at the community center.
Council examined an account that has not paid for water usage. Bills are sent out on the first of the month, and it is past due if not paid by the 15th. Water is cut off by the 25th.
Council said a customer took over an existing account and has not paid the bill. Utility workers informed that an application must be completed in the customer’s name. The customer then reached out to city hall, but another week passed without payment.
Goodrich Mayor Kelly Nelson suggested giving 25 days to pay the bill before cutting the water off.
“He’s getting free water,” Nelson said. “I mean, can you do that with any other water company? No.”
Utility workers and City Secretary Felicia Garrett said the customer has now been billed, with a due date of Monday. If the bill is not paid by the 25th, water will be disconnected.
Nelson asked to be updated on the situation, as well as an amount owed on the bill.
A few meters in the city have been changed out for new ones. Some are difficult to read, but meters are said to be expensive. The plan is to change out around three per month.
City employees said every month customers complain of the meters reading higher than usage. Utility workers said often, they re-read and the difference may be 10 gallons. Periodically, there are some more significant.
Some meters are buried deep and can be fogged over, which could produce inaccurate readings. Those are on the list to consider replacement.
Utility employees said it takes only an extra two or three loads of clothes or showers for bills to rise higher than average.
Nov. 11-13, council plans to attend the Texas Municipal League Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio. It will take place in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
“This is this conference we went last year, Bobby (Wright, mayor pro-tem) and I,” Nelson said. “It’s very informative. I did talk to one of the presenters. Since we’re going, then we’ll be able to have access to all the trainings.”
Nelson said the event is a chance to learn, with the opportunity to discuss issues with other mayors and council members who have similar experiences. City secretaries have the same opportunity, and there is also a segment on grant writing. The item was approved for Nelson, Wright and Garrett to attend the conference.
The city has received a $750,000 grant to move a lift station that is still in the environmental stage. They are also being considered for a $5 million grant to repair the city’s wastewater ponds. Grant writer Ray Van has relayed there is a possibility of being approved, but results are likely several months away.
