Ronan City Council considers water bills, police grant
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RONAN – Late fees might be tacked on to water bills in the future if people hooked up to the town’s water don’t get their payments in on time.
On Monday, Nov. 21, the Ronan City Council discussed the possibility of adding a late fee to water bills, but the public’s opinion will be heard before any changes occur during a public hearing scheduled for Dec. 5, Monday, at 5:30 p.m. at the Ronan City Hall.
“We want to see what people think before this goes into affect,” Ronan Mayor Kim Aipperspach said.
The fee would be used to offset the cost of mailing out late payments and encourage people to get the bills in on time.
Council members are researching how other towns handle late payments. They are considering what the late charge should be, how to handle issues where people are late because they can’t afford their bills, and how much time should be given before a bill is considered late.
In other news, council members heard from Ronan Police Chief Ken Weaver about the failed Public Safety Mill Levy election that would have been used to match a $124,311 Cops Hiring Grant. The issue failed by six votes with 317 voting against and 311 voting for it.
Chief Weaver said he has until Jan. 1, 2017 to accept or decline the grant. He hopes to accept the grant, put the issue on the next election, and see if it passes.
“As long as we don’t draw down funds from the account, we will be in good standing,” he said of being able to return it if it fails again.
The council is holding a special finance meeting on Wed., Nov. 30, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss what to do about the grant.
Chief Weaver would like to hear from people that didn’t vote for the levy issue. “I’d like to hear people’s concerns,” he said.
“I’d like to find out why people voted against it,” he said.
Contact Chief Weaver at 406-676- 0223 or rpdchief@ ronan. net
