CHANGES STUDIED FOR WATER USERS WHO LIVE OUTSIDE SC

SCOTT CITY -- Nearly every city water user who lives outside the city limits and is dissatisfied with their new contracts has had the chance to meet with the Scott City Public Works Committee.

The committee has been inviting each user to attend one of their planning meetings to discuss individual needs for water use.

Scott City Councilman J.T. Gulley, who heads the committee, said the board has been trying to accommodate each user while taking suggestions for new connection rates.

The city commission came under fire earlier this year when a group of rural water users threatened to file suit over higher connection rates: $2,500 to hook up to water and another $2,500 to hook up to sewer. The matter dragged on for months without a reasonable settlement until the public works committee began meeting with the rural users.

The board is planning to present the Scott City Council with their recommendations on connection rates and the city's arrangements with the rural water users.

Betty Jackson, one of the more outspoken rural water users, said at Monday's regular council meeting that she is ready to accept the public works proposals as soon as the city council approves them. Jackson is developing a subdivision on the outskirts of town and wants to proceed with those plans.

Gulley said a number of details need to be worked out before the committee is ready to present its recommendations.

In other business:

The council approved a contract with Union Electric to run utilities out to the new recycling building. New Public Works Director John Rogers said the building needs electricity and welcomed the resolution. UE is charging the city $3,797.62 for the first three months to run utilities out to the building.

The city purchased a vertical baler for the city's recycling operation. The $5,352 baler will make storing and transporting recyclables easier by compressing the items into a tube.