Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 21, 1994 TAG: 9405230140
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
``I certainly don't want to continue as town manager having these complaints,'' he said. ``We've got to make a change here.''
Combiths and Treasurer Mildred Bolen had met Thursday night with some of the citizens with unusually high bills, including one couple away from home during much of the billing period.
He said the Water Department had some vacancies recently, and the winter ice storms contributed to the problem of getting meters read. Newly hired employees are being trained, he said.
``If we can't get this thing turned around in four months, then maybe I'm in the wrong job,'' Combiths told council members meeting on the 1994-95 town budget Friday morning.
Mayor Gary Hancock suggested reinstating $12,700 if possible for two hand-held meter reading units with backup software in the town billing system. He said the neighboring town of Wytheville had found such units pay for themselves quickly.
The budget includes projected income from a recent 24 percent water rate increase, to be followed by another 5 percent boost starting in July. It also includes income from a sewer rate increase, but that will apparently start a month or two late.
Council is not required to hold a public hearing on the sewer rate increase, but traditionally does so. The earliest such a hearing could be scheduled is council's June 7 meeting.
``If you were to pass it tomorrow, it would only be official starting with the June meter reading,'' Town Attorney Frank Terwilliger said.
The revenue increase would not start until a month after the meters are read under the new rate. It now looks like that might not be until July.
by CNB