City to Have New Utilities Billing Cycle

In his report to the City Council during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, City Manager Bob Schwartz reported the February utility “billing cycle one” will be late, however a letter will be going out with the bill specifying when the meter was read. “Cycle two” is being read this week, and beginning in March all meters will be read the second week. Necessary rereads will be done the third week of March. All bills will be sent out the fourth week and going forward all will be due the 15th the following month.

Mr. Schwartz also reported the city web site now has an e-mail address for citizen’s input. He also announced the council has a meeting at noon on February 22 with all department heads.

City Engineer Robert Jordan reported that the provider has assured him the installation of new automated meters will be completed by the February 28. Two customers have reported leaks where the new meters have been installed. Also, the base for electric meters at four homes need to be upgraded prior to installation. Mr. Jordan reported that these issues are being addressed. He also reported the water leak on the street near the Big Chic still has not been found, and that the lines in the alley behind the building will be investigated this week, and if not found there, excavation would be necessary.
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Sabrina Cape of Capable Financial Solutions, Inc., attended the meeting and presented the Council with six month financial statements ending December 31, 2010. The revenue summary showed the city has collected $3,942,270 of its budgeted $8,878,597, representing 44 percent, six percent short of 50 percent. However, the expenditures/expense summary reported the city has spent $4,075,451 out of a budgeted $8,841,597, representing only 46 percent during the six month period.

Also, Ms. Cape’s report on the General Fund Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balance, showed the city had begun the period (July 1, 2010) with a deficit of $107,778, but that as of December 31, 2010, that deficit has been reduced to $34,200.

Downtown Development Authority Director Dave Dammann reported three vacancies still exist on the board which need to be filled. He also reported three business owners attended the DDA meeting and a suggestion was made to have a festival limited to county and city vendors with no fees for participants and no cost to the city.
He also reported the authority is now in good shape and had made their first payment on the loan from the city. He voiced his concern once again about the lack of public rest rooms in the city, and the lack of printed information about the city.

Monticello Police Chief Bobby Norris reported the collection of $2,723 in fines and fees during January, that the number of citations are increasing, and that his department responded to 216 calls for service. After having expressed concern about the department’s vehicles last month, Mayor Glenn Newsome appointed a public safety committee and set Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 9:30 a.m. for them to meet to discuss the fleet and fleet equipment needs.

Other actions during the meeting include the following:
•Under the Consent Agenda, payables of $177,963 for the period of December 1 through February 3, 2011, were unanimously approved.

•An amendment of the City Code for a wine and beer pouring license partial payment was approved unanimously approved.

•The low bid of $44,000 for a gas check meter to be installed at the pipeline source of supply, where there is currently no meter to check receipts, was approved unanimously.

•A complete electric rate review and analysis, the first in 20 years, was approved by a vote of three for and one abstention. This will include a billing review and a Cost of Service Study that would give the city a thorough analysis of electric rates, at a cost of between $10,000 and $15,000.

•In anticipation of the next SPLOST election, Mr. Newsome appointed council persons Mollie Pompey and Katherine Alexander to put together a list of proposed projects.

•Unanimously approved adopting a resolution allowing the city to abandon their fuel pumps at the street department and begin using the county’s fuel pumps.

•Mr. Schwartz indicated the city will receive bids for the evaluation of the sewer system in the target area later this week. After a review of bids and checking with the Community Development Block Grant, the recommended bid will be presented at the council’s regular meeting in March.

•Mrs. Alexander encouraged everyone to drive by West View Park and see the new playground equipment.