Willow swears in incumbents, hears utility bill complaints

Mayor Brooke Fair, Alderman Phill Knott, and Alderman Danny Bradley ran unopposed for their offices in the April General Election. All three were sworn in on April 18 after the Willow Springs Board of Alderman certified the election results. 

The aldermen heard from Pine St. resident Michael Evans who was seriously concerned with the city’s utility billing procedures. Utility bills for the City of Willow Springs are generated and mailed on the 30th of each month and are due on the 10th.

“I have noticed that the window of opportunity to pay is exceedingly short,” Evans began. He pointed out that the mailed notices arrive on the 4th or 5th of the month, when they arrive at all. He reports at least once receiving only a delinquency notice but not a bill. He has also experienced obstacles trying to pay through electronic bill pay because the city does not accept ACH transfers.

His request was two-fold – to extend the payment window to 21 days and to lower the “exorbitant” late fees. Late fees are ten percent of the total bill. According to information from City Hall, total utility penalty revenue for 2022 was $44,085.53, or $3,674 per month.

Changing the policy is not an option, responded the aldermen. Willow Springs pays in full for utilities charged through city accounts on the 17th of each month. According to City Administrator Beverly Hicks, the current policy has been in place for more than twenty years and has reduced the amount of bad debt that the City carries each year from approximately $30,000.00 to $10,000.00. In 2022, the city footed the bill for bad utility debts in the amount of $7,552.26. The procedure in place is designed to prevent the city, and ultimately the taxpayers, from paying those bad debts.

Addressing the policy, Hicks said, “I do understand it’s a burden.”

Hicks explained customers may receive their bill by mail or email, and they may also call or come by City Hall to obtain the amount or a printed copy.  

Evans objected that he travels frequently and does not have the time to track down his bill.

“My problem with email is sometimes you don’t get those either. I asked for both ways. That can’t be done,” Evans objected. 

Hicks listed the ways customers may pay utility bills -- automatic bank draft on the 10th of each month, check, cash, and credit card by phone or online. Budget billing is not an option because of the volatility of the energy markets. 

“You want us to make concessions around the city’s burden,” Evans persisted. “I’m suggesting you make concessions around the consumers.”

The aldermen requested that Hicks research ACH payment options that may be initiated by the customer through the online payment portal. No further action was taken.

In old business, Dean Aye appeared on behalf of the Willow Springs Community Foundation (WSCF) to provide an update on the dangerous building at 104 E. Main. WSCF obtained legal ownership of the property earlier that day. Despite this, WSCF has funding in place to fund the repair. Aye reported that Gene Douglas with OKE-Thomas is overseeing design and engineering, with Base Construction slated to begin repairs in the middle of May or early June. The project is expected to take twelve weeks.  

“I’m very pleased with where we are,” Aye said.

The aldermen agreed, commending him for what he has accomplished.

In other business:

-A public hearing regarding setback variances for three residential properties lasted one minute and closed without any public comment. The aldermen unanimously passed an ordinance allowing for this variance, which corrects an error made when the homes were built 25 years ago two to a plat. This change will allow the plats to be separated to facilitate their eventual sale. 

-The aldermen approved a list of surplus items from the street department for sale. 

-The alderman voted to serve ten businesses with a letter informing them their business license has expired. These businesses are believed to be in operation with a delinquent business license. 

-Members of the CID board for the Family Dollar location were reappointed. 

-The municipal judge will receive his first-rate increase since 2005, from $650 to $1200 monthly, effective immediately. 

-The aldermen approved an increase to pool use fees for the 2023 season. Staffing the pool staff is not anticipated to be an issue again this year.  Hicks said numerous applications have been received and staffing should not be an issue until late summer, when school activities begin.

-A closed session for a discussion of real estate began at 6:46 p.m. and adjourned at 7:06 p.m. with no action taken.

-Police Chief Wes Ellison presented an ordinance prohibiting distracted driving within city limits.