Providence Council passes ordinance that will increase water rates

By CHARLIE HUST

Providence City Council breezed through a busy regular session Monday night, hearing second reading of one ordinance and the first reading of two more ordinances.

Council members approved the second reading of an ordinance dealing with water rates as well as tap fees for all electrical, gas and sewer lines for both residential and commercial use. The ordinance will increase the standard water bill in the city by approximately $4, a move that was long overdue according to Mayor Gooch.

“We’ve needed to do this for a least six years. And even though we’re making these adjustments (increase), we’re still below 14 of the 16 water districts in the surrounding area,” Gooch explained.“ This the first water rate increase since 2000.”

He provided a comparison chart of rates in western Kentucky, showing that even with the increase, Providence’s water rate would still remain less expensive than all area water district with the exception of Madisonville and Henderson.

“We have financial obligations in the water and sewer departments and we certainly need to think about repairing and replacing some of the infrastructure and other things that need to done in our system. Some of those water lines were
installed in the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s,” Gooch added. “We’ve gone way too long without a raise (in rates).”

The measured passed with a 5-0 vote (Councilwoman Shannon Layton was absent).

First reading of an ordinance regulating bucket brigades and charitable solicitations within the city limits was also head at the meeting. The ordinance deals with general safety of such activities on the local roadways as well as dealing with numerous complaints about door-to-door solicitations on private property and business.

The measures ensures that all individuals, groups or organizations must file for a request 10 days prior to solicitation date in order to obtain a permit. All individuals will be required to wear identification badges during the solicitation. For-profit solicitation will require a $10 fee.

First reading of the ad valorem property tax rates and collection procedures ordinance was mere formality according to Mayor Gooch.

“We have to do this each year before we send out tax bills. This is the same ordinance that dates back to 1986, with no changes,” Gooch added.

Council members then re-visited the issue of the Owensboro-based Aqualine Protection company which provides waterline protection for residents, covering water lines from the city’s water meter to the crawl space of the home.

The Aqualine program covers all repairs and charges for water leaks for a monthly fee of $3.80 per customer. If council members agree to join the program, the charge will be added to each utility bill with the option to ‘opt out’ by each city resident.

That one item of the program brought negative remarks from several council members.

“I don’t like the automatic line-item charge with the option to “opt out” if you don’t want the service,” noted Councilman Keith Farrell. “I think many elderly residents will not understand that they can get out of the program at any time. This automatically signs you up.”

Councilman Doug Hammers agreed.

“I don’t like that sign-up process plus, you going to contract one local plumber for your repair work and that means that contractor will monopolize plumbing work in the city,” he stated.

Aqualine spokesperson Bud Bates responded to the remarks stating that he didn’t like the ‘automatic signup’ feature as well, but that was the only way to keep the cost so low.

“We must have a large participation rate in order for the price to stay at less than $4 per month,” he explained. “Customers can ‘opt out’ of the automatic enrollment program at any time.”

He also noted that Aqualine would open bids for as many local plumbers that were willing to participate, not just a single contractor.

“We would like to have 4-5 plumbers on our list, so if there’s an emergency, we can go right down the list and begin calling these plumbers to get them to the leak as quickly as possible,” Bates added.

Councilwoman Dolores Overby asked if the city could join the program at a later date.

“How far down the road can we go before we make a decision. After we investigate this  more thoroughly, can we join in six months,” she asked.

“Yes, you can join at any time,” Bates replied.

It was also noted that the city’s current billing structure didn’t allow for another line-item charge to be added to the bill.

After further discussion, Gooch asked the council for a decision, but no response came concerning the matter.

“At this time, the matter is dead from lack of a motion,” Gooch told Bates.

In other business, Councilman Farrell asked about trash cleanup at Westerfield Park. He noted several complaints about trash on the lower ball field.

It was noted that Alliance Coal hosted a large softball tournament last weekend and there were several other events over the past weekend at the park.

“Sometimes the trash cans get so full, they just overflow and the debris starts spilling onto the ground,” Mayor Gooch stated. “We go through the park twice a week to pick up trash and have regular trash pickup. But when you have activities over the weekend, sometimes the cans just get full.”