Some Indianola residents could receive a rebate on their February water bill.
On Monday night, at the request of Mayor Steve Rosenthal, the city lawmakers decided to issue a credit to households whose February water billing meets certain requirements.
The motion was approved based on the water department’s ability to use the computer to make the determinations and not add any additional work to the water department supervisor.
Rosenthal said that since the citizens were asked to leave their water running during the recent sub-freezing temperatures, they should receive a $5 credit on their February billing, but only if the customer's water usage amount increased by $5 or more over their January amount.
"I just feel like that a lot of people are on a fixed income, did what was right and that's by running that water to prevent that pipe to burst," he said.
Rosenthal said that if the amount greatly exceeded the $5 increase and the customer could prove, through the city’s normal procedure, that they had a leak then they would be issued a water credit, but no rebate, not both.
By way of example, Rosenthal said that if a customer's January billing was $45 and their February billing was $50 then they would get the $5 credit, but if the amount remained unchanged no credit would be issue.
“If it went from $45 to $75 and they actually had a full water break, they would bring in a repair ticket and we would do it through that formula we’ve presented to the board a number of times and they wouldn’t get that original water credit,” said Rosenthal.
In other business,
A motion by Alderman Ruben Woods to approve $1,246.54 in water credits failed for lack of a second. Alderman Sam Brock said the summary water credits report was not included with their packs. Alderman Gary Fratesi said, “Give us the paperwork next time so we can do it, we don’t have it.”
Also, the provisions of a 2021 Delta Health Alliance grant to establish a city youth summer program resulted in a decision to make application, but require a final approval from the city leaders before acceptance.
City Parks and Recreation Director Carolyn O'Neal told the leaders that although this is a recurring grant, some of the stipulations have changed.
Based on O'Neal's assessment of the $25,000 endowment, only students up to 12-years-old, who attend Lockard Elementary School are eligible to participate in the summer youth program.
In addition, the grant also includes a literacy component and O'Neal asserted that her goal was to provide summer activities for the children and not a summer school. O'Neal said she is still in communication with the grant provider about the possibility of broadening the scope of the grant.
Brock stated that he was gravely concerned about the provision to only allow a select group of children to participate and suggested that the city delve deeper into the matter before agreeing to apply.
During a discussion on the best way to move forward, City Attorney Kim Merchant suggested that they vote to approve to apply for the grant with a caveat that states that final approval by the board is required if the grant is awarded.
She said that would prevent the city from missing any application deadlines while O'Neal is still conferring with the contributor about the participation requirements.
The Aldermen also voted to allow South Delta Planning and Development District to complete the application for the grant.
Alderman Darrell Simpson was not present at Monday night’s meeting.
