MENTONE - Mentone will purchase new water meters and readers to better serve the town.
However, because the town has to wait for its tax revenue, the town will have to borrow the money to pay for the meters. As of Monday, council president Tim Croy said the town had only $4,000 in its general fund budget and asked for town employees to hold off on spending money.
In April, Mentone Clerk-Treasurer Barb Ross told the council that Kosciusko County Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell reported the town would not receive any tax distribution money in June. The state will not allow Mitchell to do provisional billing for the Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. area because it lies within Kosciusko and Fulton counties and Fulton County is behind with its tax billing process. The town may not receive any of the monies it's due until late this year.Monday, Darrel Miller presented the two cost estimates for the new meters and readers. The cost for the system from Everett J. Prescott Inc., Wabash, totaled $83,228, while the total from Utility Supply Co. was $87,485.49.
Croy asked Miller which one he preferred, but Miller said that as far as performance, he couldn't say which one he liked over the other.
For councilman Jack Simpson, he said he preferred the lower cost system from EJP, which the board accepted.
Ross then said the board had to determine how they were going to pay for it. Simpson said he thought the town should borrow the money, with Croy agreeing.
Miller said the new meters could be installed soon. Representing EJP, Brian Reed said he didn't think it would be difficult to get started pretty quick.
Croy asked how soon EJP would want their money. Reed replied, "Probably 30 days after we get you rolling. We can probably work with you on that."
At the start of the meeting, Lorenza and Anna Hurd spoke to the board about their water bill. They have lived at 409 W. Monroe St. for about only nine months, Lorenza said.
"We've been charged outrageous prices for our water," he said. He said they don't have a leak, they have new water lines, but were charged for 8,000 gallons in one month for the two of them. He wanted to know what was wrong.
Eric Carlin, utility department, said the Hurds average about 3,000 gallons per month. In January and February, their water usage was estimated, on the low side. In March, their meter was read and the Hurds were billed for actual usage. The town also had raised its rates during the past few months and that contributed to the Hurds' estimated $92 water bill in April.
Anna Hurd asked why the town couldn't read the meter every month, at least in the summer. Carlin said they do in the summer. They started reading it and not estimating it in March. Carlin said they would keep an eye on the Hurds' meter for awhile to see if there's any unusual activity.
Anna said she didn't think there was anything wrong with the meter, she said she thought the town was just reading it high. Croy said during the winter, it was estimated low, so the high bill was to catch up with the actual reading.
Town Marshall Jim Eads told the Hurds the town is looking at getting new meters that can transmit the readings.
In the meeting later, Miller said so many times at the wastewater plant, it gets struck by lightning and knocks out the chart recorders and input cards. On April 30, lightning knocked out one of those cards and it cost an estimated $600 to replace it.
Miller contacted Flotronix Corp. about a surge protector, and they estimated the cost at $1,875 including installation. The surge protector has a 20-year replacement warranty.
"It's been something that has taken a lot of hits," Miller said.
Simpson said it only makes sense to have a surge protector.
Croy asked Ross if there was money from sewer the town could use to pay for the surge protector. "Probably," she said.
The board voted to let Miller purchase the protector.
Miller also reported they had their annual well testing and cleaning. "We passed with flying colors," he said. "Everything is looking good."
Carlin reported that about six weeks ago, he took his exam for wastewater treatment operators certification. He passed.
In other business, the board:
n Decided to have their budget hearing on July 2 directly after their regular meeting at 6:30 p.m.
n Was introduced to new Mentone Police Department Deputy Terry Engstrand.
n Heard from Carlin that the fire hydrant on Franklin Street is fine. It does not need to be raised as town board member Roger Long previously suggested.
n Approved the software agreement with Keystone as requested by Ross.
Members of the town council are Croy, Simpson and Long. Long was absent from Monday's meeting.
