A Fee a day keeps.. the Public at bay?
The Clayton City Council will now charge citizens who request a re-read of their water meter because they believe their bill to be incorrect. The charges only apply if the bill proves correct the first time. Of course I understand the reasoning for the motion, proposed by City Councilman Mike Smith. The city has to pay their man for re-reading meters, so it seems reasonable to charge those demanding multiple readings without cause.
But then, It is the city which has had some significant problems with NEEDING water re-reads, because of improper use of the system. And while Smith's motion included controls on those problems, such as insisting on the proper use of the electronic meter reading, It seems largely unnecessary to charge people for double checking their bill, when its been the city, by their own admission, which has had a problem getting the reliable numbers. Perhaps Councilman Smith has it right, and is cutting down on the current problem, and the next possible problem regarding re-reads. That's certainly possible.
But then, perhaps the citizens have a right to keep a close eye on their water bill, when the city's had such a rough time getting bills straight. Everyone at the Council seemed convinced that the requiring of proper hand held scanning technique is going to practically eliminate water bill mistakes. But I think I would have waited till I had a reputation of correctness before I charged people who second guessed me.
P.S No fireworks on Ramey Bridge DOT contract. Everything went as smooth as silk. City attorney Davis Boumen laid down how the thing was gonna work, and everyone seemed happy with it. So no problems there.
But then, It is the city which has had some significant problems with NEEDING water re-reads, because of improper use of the system. And while Smith's motion included controls on those problems, such as insisting on the proper use of the electronic meter reading, It seems largely unnecessary to charge people for double checking their bill, when its been the city, by their own admission, which has had a problem getting the reliable numbers. Perhaps Councilman Smith has it right, and is cutting down on the current problem, and the next possible problem regarding re-reads. That's certainly possible.
But then, perhaps the citizens have a right to keep a close eye on their water bill, when the city's had such a rough time getting bills straight. Everyone at the Council seemed convinced that the requiring of proper hand held scanning technique is going to practically eliminate water bill mistakes. But I think I would have waited till I had a reputation of correctness before I charged people who second guessed me.
P.S No fireworks on Ramey Bridge DOT contract. Everything went as smooth as silk. City attorney Davis Boumen laid down how the thing was gonna work, and everyone seemed happy with it. So no problems there.
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