City of Marion collects more than $10,000 in overdue water bills

The city of Marion collected more than $10,000 in overdue water bills last week, but some city councilmen want to know how the city let so many customers get so far behind.

City Clerk Laura Hinton said the past-due bills included individual bills of $2,000 and $3,000. She said the city is offering a 60-day grace period and payment plans requiring 2% to 5% of past-due balances.

When Councilman Willie Jackson questioned how bills had grown so large, Hinton said some accounts belonged to residents who had died or moved away. The city took over that older debt when it took over the water system. She said the city must work with auditors to write off non-collectable accounts.

Councilman Stanley Kennie said many delinquent customers still live in town and that the city should have enforced cutoffs sooner.

“If you get free water, you’re not going to worry about it,” Kennie said. Hinton agreed that enforcement must be consistent going forward.

The city announced July 20 that the city would start turning off water for many delinquent customers.

More from this section

Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Alabama

3 in 4 parents paying more attention to what’s in their food

Tennessee poised to have its first female governor

Hinton told the council that the state has forgiven $160,000 on a water system loan. She explained that the state corrected an error it made when distributing federal ARPA funds.

Mayor Dexter Hinton updated the council on the traffic light at Washington Street, explaining that the city had already repaired the signal once and was reimbursed after police identified the driver who damaged it.

A public hearing was set for Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. on a mobile home request at 102 Mason St. The council will hear comments before making a final decision at its next meeting.

The council approved $900 in additional repairs at the depot after workers discovered rotten boards and a soft spot under the back porch. The funds will come from community development accounts.

Council members also reviewed a $10,000 quote for a new air conditioning unit at the water treatment plant. Hinton said the city will seek additional bids from local contractors and may be able to use grant funds.

Budget work sessions were scheduled for Aug. 5 and Aug. 19. Council members asked for detailed salary breakdowns, copies of invoices for the new police car and separation of governing body expenses in the draft budget.