Minutes 12-07-2020 Virtual Business Meeting

Browse Search

12 Commissioner Hamilton said she brings this up, as the burden of this situation should not fall on the poor. She said she hopes the County can be a strong partner is protecting the vulnerable. Chair Price referred to a letter received by the BOCC, which stated 1,000 community members donated $1,400. She asked if that was a typo. Mary Tiger said $1,400 was received on a monthly basis, and from an annual perspective this totals $15,000. Chair Price asked if one adds onto a bill, by rounding up, for example. Mary Tiger said it was originally was a round up program, but now people are being asked to give a dollar or two per bill. Commissioner Price referred to the 12-18 months payment plans, and asked if these lengths are firm. Todd Taylor said no, they are not firm and longer payment plans are an option. Commissioner Price asked if there is a reconnect fee, to which customers would be subject, if one's water has been cut off. Todd Taylor said yes, there is a charge. He said there are also late fees. He said when standard practices resume, each customer would get a reset button, and not be late at that time, and can work on the payment plan concurrently. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the donations program could be explained further, and how OWASA determines which accounts receive funds. Todd Taylor said Inter-Faith Council (IFC) manages the funds, and OWASA directs customers there. Mary Tiger said currently IFC caps bill assistance, per applicant, at $200. She said there is discussion about keeping or changing this amount. Commissioner Hamilton said it is her understanding that OWASA reserves cannot be used to pay debt, and asked if the permitted uses of the reserves could be identified. Todd Taylor said reserves are available in the case of a catastrophic event, unexpected capital expenditure, or in the event of OWASA could not collect revenue for a month. He said having these reserves plays into OWASA's bond ratings as well. Commissioner Dorosin said his concern is that people are suffering, and cannot pay OWASA bills. He said he would like to find a way to provide direct support to these residents, but it seems that OWASA is not permitted to help in many ways, other than payment plans. He said the total debt is $280,000, which is not astronomical, and he would like the County, the towns, and UNC to partner together to pay off some/all of this debt, so that OWASA could write off the debt. He said the current plan just drags debt along, and he would like to make a bolder move. He asked if his suggestion is one that could be explored, or can OWASA only do payment plans. He said OWASA revenues are higher than budgeted, and expenses are lower. He said there has to be a way to help people in arrears from losing water service. Todd Taylor said OWASA is open to exploring any and all possibilities to provide relief to residents. He said OWASA will work with County staff. Commissioner Bedford agreed with Commissioner Dorosin, and all other comments. She asked if it was worth lobbying the legislature for changes in the law, or are there other ways to move money around to pay off some of these debts. She said this is a health crisis, and washing hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of Covid, but without water one cannot wash one's hands. She asked if there are other sources of revenue that could be used. Todd Taylor said he wanted to provide some clarity around the notion that there is a net profit at OWASA right now. He said OWASA assumed revenues would be down due to the pandemic, but did not expect this for the whole year. He said water sales have not rebounded, and the budget was cut back as much as possible. He said these were not trivial cuts, and they