COAL GROVE – New water customers might have to pay a $50 deposit for water service if Coal Grove Village Council approves a new water billing policy this summer.

Friday, May 26, 2000

COAL GROVE – New water customers might have to pay a $50 deposit for water service if Coal Grove Village Council approves a new water billing policy this summer.

"We’ve been talking about it since Feb. 1, and plan to get an ordinance," Mayor Tom McKnight said.

The measure would make up for a loss in water department revenue because of apartment renters with delinquent bills, McKnight said.

The mayor, council members and village administrative staff met in a Monday work session to discuss the proposed policy and the consolidation of three water service ordinances.

"We are simplifying and modifying the (water) fee schedule and putting it into a more user-friendly format," village solicitor Mark McCown said.

Currently, residents are required to pay $50 for meter installation, but the water department collects no initial deposit. And water collection ordinances have not been changed since 1981, McCown said.

The new ordinance is designed to prevent apartment dwellers from evading water bill payments by moving out unannounced, McKnight said.

Some delinquent tenants have received free water services for months without paying, and the village gets stuck with the unpaid bills, council members said.

"This ordinance should make the people think a little because they won’t get their (deposit) back if they don’t pay their water bills," said Nadine Malone, village water clerk.

If a tenant does not pay and the fees are uncollectable, then neither the landlord nor the village can go after anyone, McCown said.

Then, that money is coming out village residents’ pockets, he said.

Most village residents are good about paying their bills but unpaid debts must be dealt with accordingly, and the proposed ordinance will help deter water theft, Mrs. Malone said.

"We’re trying to establish a (counter) policy," she said. "We’ve raised the water tap to $700, the ‘piggy back’ (meter) is $300, and a bad check charge is now $20."

McKnight said he is confident the measure will pass and council members seem agreeable.

The public can comment on the new policy when ordinances receive first through third readings.

Council could make a final decision at the village’s regular July meeting, McKnight said.