Council removes sewer credit cap for emergency situations

     During the Jan. 3 Monticello City Council meeting, the council took action to eliminate the city's cap regarding sewer bill credits, and also credited a homeowner's sewer bill due to an emergency situation.

   Glenda Hall, at 833 N. Sycamore St., experienced an excessive water leak in a crawl space under her home. Typically, her sewer bill is around $45. In this instance, her total water bill was over $5,000, and a sewer bill at $4,260.01.

   The city's Sewer Credit Policy allows for a $1,500, one-time sewer credit, which the council approved in February 2023. This only applies to cases in which the excess water does not enter the sewer line.

   "The city council can raise the cap," offered City Administrator Russ Farnum.

   He felt the way the policy was written, no matter the cap, homeowners couldn't take advantage of it.

   "They have to prove it didn't go down the sanitary sewer," added Farnum, "before we apply the credit at all."

   In Hall's case, the water did not enter the sewer.

   Council member Mary Phelan asked if there was a water/sewer usage rate ratio. Jim Tajden, Water/Wastewater superintendent, noted it's based on water usage.

   Council member Jake Ellwood asked how something like this can be detected before the utility bills are sent out. City Clerk Sally Hinrichsen said the only way to tell would be to read every single water meter every single day.

   "We can look back at when the event occurred and we'll investigate it," offered Tjaden.

   Farnum added that tracking such incidents are not live. It's usually found out after the fact.

   "Cheryl (Clark, deputy city clerk) reaches out to property owners at the time," Hinrichsen said.

   The council voted to eliminate the $1,500 sewer credit cap.

   The council also approved crediting Hall's sewer bill by $4,215.