Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - How would you like a water bill for approximately $1,372 when your average monthly bill is about $64?
Bob Conley's latest bill for his barbershop in Mentone was just that - $1,372 - for 512,000 gallons of water usage. Monday, Conley asked the Mentone Town Council for a little relief.
"I need to see if something can dramatically be done with that," he said. He said the 512,000 gallons he was charged for in a month is about how much his business probably uses in two years. He had his building inspected twice and no leaks could be found.
In March, Conley's bill spiked to more than $100 before dropping back to his average. Then in July, he received the $1,372 bill. Conley said Mentone utilities superintendent Brian Reed told him there probably was a leak but Conley couldn't find one. He even had pipes replaced, but still no leak could be found.
With that much water, if it was leaking, Conley said, he thought the ground or asphalt would be gone. As a Mentone businessman, he said, he thought he took responsibility for the matter as much as he could and would be appreciative if he could get some relief on his bill.
Reed told the council Conley's business used 5,000 gallons in May. Per day, the town pumps 80,000 gallons of water. He couldn't recall the town having any jump in its water usage in June.
"In my mind," said Conley, "common sense says something's not right." He said he's done all he could and he accepted his March bill that was for more than $100.
"I understand where he's coming from," said Reed. He suggested the council take Conley's request under advisement and discuss it at the next council meeting. Town clerk-treasurer Barbara Ross said she won't charge a late penalty on Conley's bill.
"I'm willing to do what it takes but I don't want to get ripped," said Conley. He offered to pay for 13 months for the year instead of 12. "Like I said, I'm trying to do what's right and I think you will, too."
At the end of the meeting, the council again discussed Conley's request. Conley was not present. Council president Mark Hughes asked if the town should make any adjustments for him.
Reed said he doesn't remember the town ever making any adjustments on water bills before. They have done so for sewer bills, but not water. Conley doesn't think he has a leak, Reed said, but he thinks Conley did and the water just went into the tile. The 512,000 gallons Conley was billed for probably wasn't used in one month, but probably two months, and the meter was just misread for one month. If 512,000 gallons did go through the meter, Reed said, "that baby had to be singing."
He also said, "I think we're going to have to do something but I don't think we're going to be able to let him off as easily as he wants."
If the town does something for Conley, Reed said, the town probably has one more customer they will have to consider. However, the other customer didn't take any action on their problem, they just let it go. Conley did try to address his problem.
"I can sympathize with him, but if we do one, we open the door," council president Mark Hughes said.
Members of the Mentone town council are Hughes, Tim Croy and Jack Simpson. Their regular meetings are at 7 p.m. in the town hall on the first Monday of every month. However, because of the Labor Day holiday, the September meeting will be Sept. 13.
