JACKSON PANEL EYES CHANGES TO PUT TEETH IN FEE ODINANCE

JACKSON -- City Administrator Steve Wilson said he needs a way to put some teeth into Jackson's utility bill ordinance.

Just a few years ago, the number of delinquent accounts filled only a page and a half of paper at Jackson City Hall. Now City Collector Beverly Nelson averages seven pages, filled with names of people who haven't dropped off or mailed in their payments.

"Our system for shutting off utilities is very labor intensive," Wilson said. "The word is out: Don't worry, they won't turn it off if you don't pay, and if they do, they will turn it right back on."

Customers who pay by the 10th day of the month receive a 10 percent discount. Bills are delinquent on the 15th of the month.

After that, the city sends a letter to the customer. If there's no response, city employees hang a shut-off notice on the customer's door. If there's still no response, they put a different-colored notice on the door. The final step is to disconnect the electricity.

To get it reconnected, a customer must pay the bill plus a $15 fee.

Jackson's law regarding municipal utilities protects people during extremes in temperature, and Wilson said any new laws would continue to do so.

He said there may be a connection between Jackson's deposit system and failure to pay utility bills. People pay $120 to get their utilities started, but the money is returned after a year of on-time payments. Following the return of the money, many start ignoring their utility bills.

There were 175 delinquent bills in November.

"I'm sure whatever change city staff recommends will be unpopular, but we have to do something," Wilson said.

He discussed the problem at Monday's Jackson Board of Aldermen meeting.

Parking on Colorado Street was another issue raised at the meeting. Police Chief Marvin Sides went out to look at the 500 and 600 blocks following complaints from residents.

With parking allowed on both sides of the street, the two blocks become nearly impassable during events at Jackson High School. Sides recommended people be allowed to park on the east side only.

An ordinance probably will be on the Dec. 4 agenda for the board's consideration.

Board members also discussed the city's newest water tower -- located only yards from Interstate 55. It should be operational by the middle of next week, but contractors aren't sure if the good weather will hold to allow priming and painting.

The finished water tower will be white with "Jackson -- Home of the Indians" painted on it in black letters. Red and black stripes will run above and below the words.

In a few weeks, aldermen will consider the future of the Jackson Public Library, Mayor Paul Sander said. A tax issue that would have allowed the merging of the public library with Riverside Regional Library failed, leaving the library board to consider its options.

Library and city officials hinted that failure of the issue may mean closing the city library, but nothing has been decided for sure.

Jackson Board of Aldermen

Monday, Nov. 20

Jackson City Hall

A. Agreed to extend power contract with Jonesboro City Water and Light until the year 2000.

B. Agreed to contract with Southwestern Power Administration for power transmission.

C. Paid $6,000 to Hogan Painting and Sandblasting as per power plant elevated water tank project.

D. Paid $180,000 in principal and $46,288.77 in interest on Jackson Electric System Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 1991, due Jan. 1.

E. Authorized city staff to explore annexation proceedings between the eastern city limits and Interstate 55. The annexation would allow for the East Main extension to Interstate 55.