In an effort to keep citizens informed and active in our local government, we are pleased to have our Online Town Hall. Here we will post items of interest from our local citizens in regards to our community.
To ask a question, simply send an email to our City Administrator, Doug Young, and see if your question makes it on our board!
Email: dyoung@ci.palmer.tx.us
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Question 1:
Subject: Is Palmer Water Safe to Drink?
To whom it should concern,
Is Palmer water safe to drink?
I find that I am paying a premium price for water that I've been told is non-potable. Recently, I've been made to understand that some houseplants of neighbors not prone to spinning yarns have begun dying do to being watered from the tap. I fear for the people and their pets who do drink tap water, as there has been nothing from the city regarding the safety of the water since the initial notice stating that we were receiving Rockett water.
If the water is non-potable and - based on anecdotal evidence - potentially hazardous, why are the citizens not made aware, and why is the water so expensive?
Regards,
A Concerned Palmer Citizen
RESPONSE:
Dear Palmer Citizen:
The water provided by the City of Palmer to its customers is definitely safe to drink. I drink it every day and my nine (9) grandkids drink it from a water cooler that contains tap water. Ask the person that has told you the water is non-potable to please check their facts. My wife waters houseplants and yard flowers with Palmer water and I am very proud of her garden.
I believe your fears for the people and pets that drink tap water are misplaced. Every year the City of Palmer mails a flyer required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) called the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The CCR for 2008 has been mailed. You may pick up an additional copy at City Hall if you have misplaced yours. We have included a copy on our web site under SERVICES / WATER DEPARTMENT / WATER REPORT.
The water is potable and is not hazardous. However, I must admit that it is expensive. I can justify why the City of Palmer rates are higher than some of the surrounding communities, but that would not make it any less expensive. Water rates will probably never be reduced, but through user conservation and prudent expenditures in the future we will try to minimize rate increases.
Cheers,
Doug Young
City Administrator
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Question 2:
Subject: concerned citizen
The articles in the Palmer Post and the blogs and videos on The Ellis County Observer question the integrity of the City of Palmer's billing process. Are these accusations true?
If they are, why isn't something being done about it?
A concerned Citizen of Palmer,
DeAnn Greenlee
RESPONSE:
I realize this is campaign time and much will be said with little verifiable proof, but I cannot let the incorrect information concerning the City of Palmer’s utility billing processes continue. It is a question of integrity and if one regards the information printed in the Palmer Post and blogged and staged in video by Mr. Dauben as proof then I feel I must defend the city staff and the integrity of the City of Palmer billing process.
Mr. Dauben makes an accusation against Mr. Vick that he did not pay late fees on his bill that were not posted on his bill. Mr. Dauben would have the viewer believe that this is stealing. A look at the five instances quoted will be analyzed in detail later but first I need to describe the process used by the City of Palmer.
Water meters are read between the 20th and 25th of the month. Charges are posted to accounts by the last business day of the month and bills mailed on or before the business day following printing. After the utility billing clerk has posted all payments, late fees are automatically input to each overdue account on or after the 16th of the month. Final notices are mailed to accounts with unpaid balances greater than $50 which are due by the 25th or shortly thereafter due to weekends.
The five instances are as follows:
- 11/30/05 – A late fee would not be posted until 12/16/05. It was posted on 12/16/05.
- 2/28/06 – A late fee was not charged since the bill was paid on 3/13/06.
- 9/18/06 – A late fee would not be posted because payment was posted on 9/18/06. The 15th was on a Friday, thus all customers are given until all weekend payments are posted.
- 5/19/07 – A late fee was posted on 5/16/07 and paid on 5/29/07.
- 2/16/07 – A late fee was not charged since the bill was paid on 2/16/07.
The first two instances were prior to Mr. Vick being elected to council which would make him a “Regular Citizen”. In all cases, Mr. Vick has paid all late fees. Mr. Dauben in all of his accusations failed to mention that Mr. Vick had his water disconnected and paid a Reconnect Fee and Late Charge in December 2006.
On two occasions I emailed Mr. Dauben to suggest that whoever was interpreting the Audit History for Mr. Vick’s account did not understand the process. I believe I heard Mr. Dauben say he would retract any incorrect information somewhere in all the videos. It is my opinion that retractions are due.
Cheers,
Doug Young
City Administrator
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