Water re-connection fees going up

By
MARY ANN ANDERSON
For City of Hazlehurst water customers who pay their bills late and have their water disconnected, it’s time to pony up more money for cut-off fees.
During last week’s monthly meeting of the Hazlehurst City Council, the core of the discussion on utility procedures focused on proposed changes to the water and sewer cut-off timeline and associated fees.
Currently, bills are due on the 20th day of each month, but customers technically have 40 to 41 days, or around the 10th of the following month, to pay their bill before water is cut off. The proposed change is to move from a “two-month” cut-off period to a “one-month” period, said City Clerk Vernice Thompson. It also means customers will no longer receive an effective “month free” and will now be cut off at the end of 30 or 31 days, depending on the days in the month, if their bill is not paid unless they can prove specific circumstances, such as medical issues or job losses
Thompson also noted that about $170,000 in back and delinquent water bills has not been collected, adding that “no one has pushed” the actual collection of those past due bills.
“We can only do so much as city employees in that office and dealing with everything we do,” she said.
The council also heard from administrative clerk Sherry Mallette, who provided a more detailed explanation of how the recent changes will be implemented, with her explaining, “We’re just trying to get everybody conditioned to pay every month.”
By a vote of 3-1, with Ward 1 Councilman Dywane Johnson voting no, the council approved upping the fees from $35 to $45 for cut-off procedures, but also shortening the length of time to get water bills paid from 40-41 days to 30-31 days. Additionally, if an employee must be called out after going home to turn water back on, the after-hours call-out fee would increase from $75 to $100.
In other action during last Thursday’s meeting, the council ….
…. after hearing from MaKayla Underwood of the Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis County Chamber of Commerce, the council discussed two proposed Christmas parade routes. The primary concern was the railroad tracks and Norfolk Southern’s refusal to stop trains for events, which caused delays during last year’s parade. Despite the concerns about potential train delays and pedestrian safety at a new location on the north side of the railroad tracks, the council voted to stick with the original route that has been used in years past.
…. unanimously adopted an ordinance for effective and efficient usage of signage within the city limits after hearing Wood Smith of the city’s law firm of Smith & Smith give its second reading. The council also listened as Smith gave the first reading of an ordinance placing the millage rate at 6.00 for the 2025 tax digest and making it more congruent with the city charter.
…. approved the 2026 monthly workshop and meeting schedule for 2027.
…. after hearing from Inframark/ESG’s Michael Mangold — Inframark/ESG oversees the water department — okayed the lease purchase of a Mongoose Model 184-LT trailer jetter. Mangold also updated the council on the state of city fire hydrants, explaining that of the 427 hydrants, 117 have “some sort of issue.” He added that the department is repairing one or two a week.
…. listened as Janet Corcoran of Voices of Hazlehurst Animal Shelter volunteer group gave an update on Hazlehurst Animal Shelter.
…. okayed October’s water and sewer adjustments of $7,100, departmental reports and check register.