SF Commission votes against rate increase

The first reading of an ordinance which would result in a rate increase for the City of South Fulton’s water and sewer customers was not approved during the Oct. 15 regular session of the South Fulton City Commission, the result of a tie vote.

City Manager Johnny Bacon proposed the ordinance, 2020-05, which would have raised the water rates base charge from $19.60 to $20.20 per month for city water and from $19.60 to $20.20 base charge for city sewer, following the approval of two readings of the ordinance. For the city water rate, the increase would go from $2.35 per 1,000 gallons to $2.90 per 1,000 gallons. In regard to the sewer rates, a base charge increase would go from $6.26 per 1,000 gallons to $6.81 per 1,000 gallons.

For rural water customers, the base rate would have increased from $23.95 to $24.55, and per 1,000 gallons, usage charge from $3.53 to $4.08.

Bacon explained the city’s $3.5 million water and sewer project requires operation of the water and sewer departments remain in the positive and according to the previously adopted ordinance to increase water and sewer rates adopted Jan. 17, 2019, Ordinance 2018-09, rates and charges are to be readjusted annually and include the Federal Cost of Living Adjustment by amendment to the ordinance.

Commissioners Beatrice Wilcox and Cody Caksackkar voted in favor of approving the first reading of the ordinance, and Commissioners Terry Taylor and Tommy Pruett voted against it.

Mayor David Lamb, who had been present for the commencement of the meeting, had excused himself from the meeting prior to the vote, and did not return to the meeting. Commissioner Caksackkar, who was appointed to fill the remainder of the Ward 4 Commissioner’s term, vacated upon the resignation of Commissioner Billy Williams, presided in the absence of Mayor Lamb, as Commissioner Williams had been the Vice-Mayor during his term.

Commissioner Caksackkar stated he did not like to see added costs incurred by city water and sewer customers, however, he had also researched possible increases should the state come in and take over the city’s water and sewer systems, and that he found should that be the case, the rates would probably increase more

“I believe we had been told before, we would need to increase these rates each year, a little at a time,” Commissioner Wilcox said.

“Do we really know if that could happen?” asked Commissioner Taylor, referring to an instance in which the state could come in, take over the water and sewer systems and then mandate the amount of an increase.

Another proposed ordinance, 2020-04 Leak Adjustment, was tabled by the officials, following the first reading by Bacon, wherein the Tennessee Utilities Assistance program recommends mandatory guidelines to be established regarding adjustments for leaks experienced by water and sewer customers.

Among information included in the proposed ordinance, were processes for adjustments to a high monthly water bill caused by a water leak in the customer’s service line or plumbing when certain conditions are met, such as the water usage in the high bill must be more than 1.5 times the average bill in the preceding three months; the customer must locate and timely repair the water leak which must be verified by the city; leak must be repaired within 30 days of the due date of the bill; when a chronic leak occurs, the city may require the replacement of the pipe before a leak adjustment; only one bill to be adjusted for a qualifying leak in any consecutive 12-month period; and no leak adjustments will be made for leaks readily detectable by the customer, to include leaking faucets, toilets, faucets, hoses, water outlets left running, leaks from frozen pipes, water for filling pools, washing cars and irrigating lawns or gardens, leaks from pool and irrigation systems.

“What happens if the customer does not repair the leak within 30 days? Seems like we need to have something in there about the consequences,” Commissioner Taylor said.

“Why is there a limitation on the number of times to adjust the leak? Someone could have one leak, get it fixed, and then have another leak at a different place,” Commissioner Wilcox said.

Bacon explained to the commissioners modifications and revisions could be made to the ordinance and it could be brought back before the full commission at the next regular meeting. No action was taken on the ordinance.

The ordinance and franchise agreement with Weakley County Electric System was approved on the second and final reading, by Ordinance, 2020-02, to provide electricity service to residents within the city of South Fulton.

A Use of Force policy for the South Fulton Police Department was approved, with South Fulton Police Chief Andy Crocker reporting Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee had offered guidelines regarding such a policy with the document he proposed also endorsed by the Tennessee Police Chiefs Association and the Tennessee Sheriffs Association.

The second and final reading of Ordinance 2020-02, adopting the annual budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30 2021 was approved, following the first reading and passage on Sept. 17.

A request for a donation to Humane Way was read by the City Manager, noting a previous donation had been made prior to the commencement of the current fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2020.

City Recorder Jackie Potter said Humane Way had received a contribution of $500 from the city, in June of 2020, and their most recent request was for an additional $500.

Potter reported $2,650 had been budgeted in the line item referencing contributions, for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

Commissioner Wilcox suggested all previously designated charitable contributions could be included in and taken from that one line item in the budget, instead of some taken from the general fund.

No action was taken by the commission regarding the donation to the Humane Way.

During the portion of the meeting designated for the Questions, Comments and Suggestions from Citizens, Teresa Sadler, a resident of South Fulton, addressed City Manager Bacon and the Commissioners for the third time in as many months, seeking direction as to the method of disposal for diabetic “sharps” within the city. She stated she had been asked to provide the city manager with her number and he would research the question and get back with her. Sadler said she had yet to hear from Bacon, and additionally, another request she had made at two previous meetings, for the commission meeting’s notice and agenda to be posted large and in a prominently visible location at the city hall, had not been addressed.

Bacon said he had not yet been able to confirm a method of disposal for the medical supplies, but requested Sadler’s number once again and said he would contact her with his findings.

Potter said the meeting’s agenda is always posted on the front door of the city hall, in the same manner as is always used.

Sadler said the size of the notice and the type was small and not easy to read from vehicles. She suggested a larger size for both.

Potter was requested to post a larger notice in a prominent location at city hall.

Wendy ____ with Cowart Reese Sargent, CPAs, P.C. of Martin, Tenn., was present for the meeting, for questions and a review of the city’s audit, Financial Statements dated June 30, 2019, a copy of which had been provided to the Mayor and Commissioner at the September regular commission meeting.

She reported the city had a “clear” audit, was in a good financial position, with $16 million, and that a finding relating to securing a CMFO was being addressed by City Manager Bacon. (See related story, page 1, SF Audit).

Prior to adjournment, Commissioner Caksackkar reported he had recently been in contact with the Tennessee Department of Transportation inquiring about the possible paving of Broadway in South Fulton, and had been told the project was not included in a three year plan outlined by TDOT. He also shared information as to the completion of Interstate 69 projected for 2023.