Practice of applying utility deposits to bills creates shortage

By Murray Bishoff Special to the Cassville Democrat

While reviewing records at the council’s Jan. 14 meeting, the Purdy City Council ran into a case where policy and practice did not agree.

The issue surfaced when a renter walked away from an unpaid bill. Under current practice, Mayor Brian Bowers said utility deposits, for customers of good standing, have been absorbed to pay the bills of a customer after one year. Bowers wanted to see that practice changed for renters. 

After reviewing the language of the ordinance governing the policy, attorney Toni Hendricks stated the policy did not match the ordinance. She noted the ordinance directed deposits should be refunded, which should be done through a check from the city, not as a credit on a bill. 

Moreover, Hendricks discouraged treating homeowners and renters differently. However, she supported keeping deposits from renters in an escrow account for just such situations. 

“This ordinance has been the bane of our existence,” Hendricks said. “We need the utility clerk to be part of this conversation. We’re making some assumptions [how this happened]. Let’s work with her, figure out how to fix it, and bring this back to the council.” 

No ordinance had been drafted as a proposed solution. 

The only major action taken at the meeting was renewing the loan used to pay off the $29,874.86 outstanding debt on the truck used by the public works department. The loan, not covered by a public vote, must be renewed annually rather than simply passed on to the next city council. The loan would continue at the same rate of interest. Payments have run around $700 a month, requiring its renewal three more times before the debt is retired. 

Clerk Sasha Gomez updated the council on progress by the firm General Code updating the city’s municipal code. Gomez noted that with recent action by the Missouri General Assembly, the firm had 200 questions about codes that may require editing. Changes in state law, such as the city’s disturbing the peace ordinance, may match the state’s version. In that case, the firm encouraged the city to adopt the state’s version as its own and number it accordingly. Hendricks indicated the city still needed to have such ordinances on its books as city statutes. 

“Most of the crimes can be streamlined under state statutes,” said Police Chief Jackie Lowe. “Dogs, the livestock ordinance, and proper burning will have to be clarified.” 

When completed, the revised city code book will enable staff to type a keyword into the computer and all related ordinances will be identified. Completion is expected by May. 

Council member Heather VanNote reported the city has multiple quotes for building a website to provide the public with information on city activities and the city code. She planned to make additional calls to find out details, such as who would handle maintenance. 

In department reports, public works foreman Kevin Cook said one of the chlorine pumps on the big well had failed and a new one installed. He expected the new sewer pump to arrive by the end of the month. 

Records showed 81 percent of water pumped into the city’s system reached water meters in December. That was an improvement Cook could not explain but was pleased to accept. 

Police Chief Lowe reported wrestling with eight different dog issues during the past month. In one case, two dogs dug under a fence. In another, a German shepherd broke a chain and hurtled a big wooden fence. That dog attacked another dog and bit the other dog’s owner. The German shepherd’s owner received a citation for having a dog at large. 

Lowe also dealt with chickens that had flown over a fence and a cow on Hwy. C. 

After observing a vehicle stopped in the road on Dec. 8, Lowe subsequently arrested the driver, Pedro Martinez Alvarez, 70, of Sedalia, for driving with a revoked license and driving under the influence of alcohol. 

Officer Russ Nichols returned to work after several months on medical leave. He collided with a utility pole on Dec.17, causing what was characterized as significant damage to the city’s white patrol car. 

Bills for the month totaling $58,199.13 were paid, including the quarterly well tower inspection by Utility Service Company. 

It was reported the Country Corner convenience store would change ownership this month. 

The next meeting was scheduled for Feb. 11.