Alto investigates billing problems
Water billing problems discussed in Monday's meeting
BY LELAND ACKER STAFF WRITER

If not for the billing problems with the water and gas systems, Alto would be a peaceful place. Inaccuracies due to meter reading difficulties surfaced during Monday's regular meeting of the Alto City Council when Odis Bryan, manager of the Alto Housing Authority, suspected that a $17 bill for his 24-unit apartment complex was too low.

"I'm probably the first to come to you and tell you we should be paying more," Mr. Bryan said. "This is what one family on the rural water system would pay."

Mr. Bryan's concern was getting a much larger bill in the future, with his budget only allowing for a $17 water bill.

Public Works Director Charlie Luse said there were problems with the water and gas meters.

The meter at the housing authority only has four digits. There is a "0" painted on the end of the meter.

Mayor Debbie White then inquired about gas billing, citing a recent case where Alto Elementary's gas bill increased from several hundred to approximately $11,000.

"Some of our employees weren't reading meters, they estimated. I just became aware of this thing," Mr. Luse explained, but added that $11,000 was not unreasonable for a school when compared to residential and chicken house customers.

He explained that city employees only record the last four digits. When they roll over, there is a problem.

"It's not the meter, it's the reader," Councilman Monty Collins said.

"It's not the reader either," Mr. Luse replied.

Mr. Luse and Mayor White debated about the technique and process of reading meters and recording them on reports. She said she wanted a new meter at the housing authority, saying to do whatever it took to get their bill correct.

"I want (a meter like the one at the housing authority) at my house, because I'm having to pay $77 and they're paying $17."

"I'm offended," Mr. Luse said.

"I'm offended you're not wanting to do it right!" Mayor White said.

"We're reading correctly," Mr. Luse said. "I'll be more than willing to take the council members to read that meter."

Mr. Luse said he would replace the meters at the housing authority and the senior apartments with two-inch meters.

Other discussion took place when Resolutions 2007-05 and 2007-06 were read, urging the state legislature to keep state parks under the control of Texas Parks and Wildlife and to properly fund Texas state parks. The resolutions pointed out the proximity of Alto to the Caddoan Mounds and Mission Tejas.

Councilman Collins made a motion to reject the two resolutions to support staet parks, citing frustration over the lack of funding for the Texas State Railroad.

"If they're going to cut everything else out, why be prejudiced (toward Caddoan Mounds)?" He asked.

Councilman Earl Clark seconded the motion, adding that he "has no respect for (the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.)"

The motion to reject the resolutions failed by a 3-2 vote, with Council members Annie Walker, Glen Willhite and Kenneth Brethouwer voting to reject the motion.

Councilwoman Walker then made a motion to approve the resolutions supporting state parks. Councilman Willhite seconded the motion and the motion passed 3-2, with Council members Clark and Collins casting the dissenting votes.

The council voted to extend Mr. Luse's employment beyond his probationary period and raise his salary to $30,000 per year. They voted to do the same for City Administrator Debra Dannelly. Judy Martin and Joe Jarmon were also hired to stay on past their probationary period and to be paid $8.75 per hour.

Anthony Cain of Allied Waste Services said his company is going to have to request a rate increase of $4.70 per month to Alto residents who use the trash service. He cited sky-rocketing steel, labor and fuel costs. The council said they would need to renegotiate the contract and put out for more bids. Mr. Cain said he would be happy to allow the city to do that.

The council also agreed to a contract with Millenium on a gas contract which would decrease the cost of gas delivery by 25 cents per MCF. The council also decided to pass that savings on to the residents.

The council agreed to let Ken McClure of the Sons of Confederate Veterans have a key to the back room of the Stella Hill Library for their monthly meetings. Mr. McClure's group had been using the room for some time before the locks were changed.

The council voted to certify the unopposed candidates in the May city council election, then voted to cancel the election due to there being no contested races. Certified are incoming Mayor Carey Palmer, and Council members Robert Pearman and Michael Sanders. The incoming officials will be sworn in on May 22.

The next meeting of the Alto City Council will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, May 14 at Alto City Hall.