The concern over recent increases in the amounts of some Indianola residents’ water bills arose again on Monday night and washed up some other possible issues at city hall.
Alderman Marvin Elder began by saying that some citizens were reportedly concerned about whether the city is simply estimating the charges and they also want to know why the bills are being issued so late.
Elder said he feels that there is some truth to the estimation claim.
"I believe in my heart that we have been doing some estimated costs and it did not start with Lisa Decker. It was going on when Charlotte (former interim city clerk Kilgore) was here, and we need to get that under control," he said.
Elder then added that the “target dates” for when the bills go out also need to be addressed.
The water department currently operates with two meter-readers/maintenance people, and according to a statement from Mayor Steve Rosenthal last week, the department has experienced a great deal of turnover.
Alderman Gary Fratesi said most of the city hall employees and the meter readers are new.
“We’re going through a tremendous learning curve now,” he said.
Elder recommends having at least four people out in the field, all cross-trained for either role. He suggested bringing back two retired workers and asserts that when the last two workers retired, their positions should have been filled then.
“We failed this community about these bills we were like a deer in the headlights, and we've been kicking that can down the road and we shouldn't do that and we should not expect these men or women, whoever works in the water department, in the field, to try to do this job alone,” Elder said.
Alderman Ruben Woods also suggested bringing a worker back part-time because the meters are not being read in a timely manner and that is the crux of the problem. He said the increases result from the meters being read in a 45 to 50-day cycle when it is normally 30 days.
Alderman Sam Brock suggested making a notation on the bills notifying the citizens whenever they are facing a more than 30-day cycle. Mayor Steve Rosenthal said he would make sure that happens. He also added that hiring additional maintenance people was not budgeted, but he and City Clerk LaShanda Moore would work on some figures.
Moore said afterwards that it was possible that estimating was done before she took over the position, however, she instructed the water department more than two months ago not to do any estimating.
Rosenthal said he has also taken steps to prevent the meter readers from engaging in the practice.
Moore said there has been a mixture of things in city hall that have possibly caused high charges for instance, a recurring error message that occurs during the printing of the bills that was ignored because the water department supervisor was never trained to catch it.
She said Kilgore was likely aware of the glitch, but did not have an opportunity to properly train Decker before she left.
However, Moore said she is now aware of it and the issue has been rectified. Moore also said that she will be processing the bills from now on and Decker’s duties will be divided evenly with the other water clerk.
Another issue that washed up as a result of the water meter discussion dealt with unusually long lines at the city hall.
“I find it very troubling and disturbing to walk in that city hall and find 25 people in a line,” Elder said.
Elder said only one clerk was assisting the customers and two others including Decker, the water department supervisor, did not offer assistance.
“If people feel that they do not want to work and study to show themselves approved about what they are doing, those are some simple things that you can do, they can turn in a letter of resignation to the clerk,” he said.
Elder said his edict applied to any city department and not just city hall.
Rosenthal explained that Decker was busy handling tax receipts at the time and that Terry Lott, the other clerk Elder mentioned, was there strictly for checks and balances and not a water clerk.
Rosenthal added that in addition to that Decker was also managing her duties as water department supervisor.
He told Elder he was “confused” by his insinuation that Decker was not working and added that prior to the current situation the city had two water clerks who were trained to do both water and taxes, but currently Decker is the only one trained to receipt taxes.
Rosenthal also mentioned that he had spoken with Moore about hiring another person because typically, managing the water department should be Moore’s responsibility but he was trying not to put the obligation on her, but if she was willing to take over those responsibilities they could make some adjustments.
He said previously, the city clerk or the interim city clerk has been responsible for managing the water department with at least two clerks manning the front counter.
Moore said her taking over the role was not a problem but, “This keeps coming up like I don’t want to help her (Decker), that’s what Valerie came for,” she said, alluding to the clerk that was hired to assist Decker at the front counter.
When Kilgore resigned last summer it left the city without a clerk, a new position was created and then deputy clerk. Decker was promoted to water department supervisor and the aldermen voted to pay her $11 per hour because Rosenthal said then the position was necessary to have someone be responsible for expediting the billing.
Elder said when Decker was promoted she said she could handle the job and asserted that they needed to make sure she was able to do the job.
“It’s easy to get elevated, but can you stay?” he said.
Elder then added that the supervisor’s position was just for an emergency situation.
“Right now that does not exist anymore,” he said, “We need all hands on deck, as clerks.”
“If we have people working 40 hours a week, work Saturday and Sunday and we still can’t get this stuff out on time, what is wrong?” Elder asked.
Rosenthal said in defense that the city has previously had three people doing what two people are doing now and the city just doesn’t have the manpower.
“We don’t need any more clerks over there, we need men in the field,” said Elder.
He again mentioned the clerks standing around and not being busy at the time when the people are in there to pay a water bill.
He said the customers should not have to stand in long lines like they do at Walmart.
Woods asked if it was feasible for the personnel/human resource clerk to help do taxes and Rosenthal and Moore said the clerk was already helping out with that responsibility.
