Waterworks enforcing fee on delinquent accounts

Blytheville Waterworks has begun enforcing a $20 charge on delinquent accounts, even if the individual's water has not been disconnected.

"It's very clear that, that ordinance has nothing to do with disconnects," Waterworks manager Gary Phillips told the City Council's Airport and Utilities Committee Tuesday. "Last week we started assessing that $20 delinquent fee once somebody is 15 days past due."

Passed March 17, 2009, Ordinance 1687, Section C reads: "Bills are to be rendered monthly for residential, commercial, industrial and municipal accounts. Customers paying by the due date shall pay the net amount as shown on the bill. Payments received after the due date shall be charged a 10 percent late fee. After 15 days, the payment due shall be delinquent and service may be discontinued. A $20 penalty charge will be assessed on all delinquent accounts."

The water department is also watching for individuals stealing water.

Phillips showed the committee one resident's apparent straight line connection.

"We have recently pulled a number of straight line connects," Phillips said. "We are prosecuting them. We're going to continue doing that. My hope is if people are aware we are pursuing this and prosecuting this, we will see less of it."

The offense is a misdemeanor.

Phillips pointed out, with the help of assessor Harley Bradley, the city has been able to gather and evaluate data from the old AS/400 system, which showed in 2004 that there were 11,300 meters.

The city currently sends bills on 7,900 meters.

Phillips said the department is investigating why there is no longer water service at some locations.

"In many instances we have found somebody or some business in that location and we have begun billing them," he said.

Phillips noted the water department took in $43,000 more in July than it did in July 2010.

"Every month over the past few months has seen an uptake in the amount of money we both bill and take in," he said. "We're going to continue in that trend."

Water plant manager Matt Mosley said, as of Aug. 1, the city has pumped almost 40 million more gallons than last year at this time. Water use is heaviest in June, July and August, he said.

"2010 was a good year and we'll definitely surpass it," Mosley said.

Also Tuesday, former Waterworks employee Sheila Phillips addressed the committee, looking for answers about her termination.

"I don't know how many of the Council members were there when Gary announced that he fired me due to $20,000 worth of checks in my drawer," she said. "Well, Gary you know that's not true."

"That's not what I said either," Gary Phillips responded.

"Let me explain something to you," she said. "I showed Gary the checks that were being kept -- the refund checks to customers -- I showed it to him. So for him to say that's the reason why he fired me. Clear it up then, Gary."

Gary Phillips said Arkansas is an at-will state, meaning he did not have to give a reason for firing her.

He said he explained one reason he was not able to balance in the Softwater software was because the checks were never voided in the system.

"I just want to clear my name," Sheila Phillips said. "You did not fire me because $20,000 of checks."

"I never said I did," he responded.

mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com