Russellville approves finances for 2013

RUSSELLVILLE -- While wages will remain constant, the Russellville Town Council made minor changes to utility billings at its meeting on Monday.

The council locked in salaries and wage scales for 2013 town employees.

The salaries will remain as they were in 2012, with the only change being when they get paid.

While in the past town employees received checks at the end of the month, they will now be paid at the monthly town meeting.

The council made changes to monthly billing as well.

In September the council members discussed modifying the policy for cutting off water service to customers.

The active ordinance called for a 60-day late-payment period, followed by 10 days of warning.

Customers who failed to make payment on time were assessed a 10 percent penalty.

Essentially, someone who failed to pay his or her bill would be given three pay periods to make a payment, which included a burdensome penalty.

In a modified ordinance, which was passed on Monday, customers are now given 25 days to pay, followed by a 10-day warning.

The period of late payment was cut in half.

"I agree with this because it only affects a few people, and they're going to be the same ones every time," council president Don Reddish said. "It's more of a service for them than the town."

Reddish and clerk-treasurer DeVon Davis reasoned that it would be much easier for someone to make payment if it's only from one month back, rather than what would amount to three.

The new ordinance also imposes a $10 reconnection fee during business hours, which increases to $25 during non-business hours.

In other business:

- The council opened bids for the town water filtration project. A final decision will likely be made at a special meeting on Monday, Oct. 29.

- After a warning about West Nile Virus last month, it is believed that no one in town has contracted the virus.

- The council received a quote to repaint the interior of the town water tower, but they will likely wait until the current water projects are complete before making a decision.

- Trick-or-treating in Russellville will be from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31.