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Oct 27, 2001
By Gail Binkly Two members of the Cortez Sanitation District board stoutly defended their record and the district’s practices, including disconnecting sewer service for delinquent customers, Thursday night at a forum on the Nov. 6 recall election. "I have done the very best job I felt I could do," said Sam Jarvis, one of three board members targeted in the recall. "I never made a decision I felt was detrimental to any of the district’s customers. "I think people need to search for the real reasons for this recall — personalities and personal vendettas." Jim Bridgewater, another of the three, agreed and told the two dozen persons in the audience this would be a poor time for a recall because the district is working to get a new, $10 million sewer plant built. "To vote for a recall at this time would endanger this process, I feel, and could endanger the loan," he said. The third recall target, Stan Pierce, was not present because he was in Australia. The much-hated, long-debated practice of cutting and plugging delinquent customers’ sewer lines sparked considerable discussion at the forum, which also featured the five replacement candidates seeking to fill the board members’ spots if they should be recalled. State Rep. Mark Larson (R-Corte) served as moderator. The recall effort was prompted in part by a much-publicized incident in March in which the board cut sewer service to a woman whose husband had had a stroke. In July, the board voted 4-1 to try placing liens on delinquent properties instead. The liens are reported to the county treasurer in October of each year and are included with county property taxes. The money is then collected along with the taxes; the amount includes a 10 percent surcharge for interest and fees. But the amount of money overdue to the district has jumped nearly tenfold since the board adopted the new policy, from $1,500 to $14,000. On Thursday, the board members sounded as though they might be forced to go back to cut-offs at some point. "The lien system is a totally ineffective way of recovering your money and a very poor business practice," Bridgewater said. "If you don’t pay your bills starting in October, you can’t be liened till next October. Then we won’t get paid till June or July of the next year." Jarvis said the district had tried liens in the late 1980s and early ’90s, and delinquencies had soared. "It got to the point where we would have $40,000 in arrears, and that does affect your income stream," he said. The district then turned to disconnections, which are an uncommon practice but are allowed in state statutes. According to Jarvis, 16 cut-offs were done over the last two years, and 11 of those were at vacant homes, while five were occupied. The replacement candidates were generally critical of the cut-off practice. "I couldn’t see why they would plug an empty house," mused Robert Knoll, a retired postal clerk and teacher. "I do not agree with digging up and disconnecting," said historian and guide Fred Blackburn. "I’m not in favor of letting people get away with bills who can pay, but I also think some creativity could be used in setting up a hardship fund." Ted Stearman, owner of Dolores River Builders, said liens were better. "I think that protects the sanitation of the people, and it will get paid for eventually." Norm Hall, a retired marketing supervisor for the Illinois Power Company who now manages La Plata View Homes, said each case should be evaluated individually. Harold Foster, a Cortez City Council member and a former construction employee, said it was difficult to understand the district’s policies without being on the board first. Audience member Don Etnier challenged the district’s contention that having so much money outstanding costs paying customers more. "If we have to make up $40,000 or $50,000 from the income stream, then, yes, in fact they would be paying extra," Jarvis replied. But Etnier argued that the sum merely becomes a "rolling account," with the money being repaid every year or two. With the board’s regular investments earning just 3 or 4 percent and the liens being repaid with a 10 percent surcharge, he said, the district won’t be losing money. Knoll agreed, asking, "What’s this $40,000 holding you down so much if the interest rate is higher? I’m saying that’s a good investment for them, being delinquent. You aren’t going to lose any money on your liens." Foster, however, took issue. "I disagree with Mr. Knoll," he said. "They’re not ever going to collect some of this money." Bridgewater maintained that liens were not a good investment because the 10 percent surcharge doesn’t go into effect until the lien is filed. On another topic, audience member David Grant Long asked whether it would be cheaper and more efficient to dissolve the sanitation district and have the city provide sewer service, as it does water. "What’s the compelling reason for a separate sanitation district even to exist?" he asked. Bridgewater said the city had done the district’s billing in the past, but it hadn’t been cheaper. He also said the city wouldn’t be able to provide service outside the boundaries of Cortez if the city took over the district. Jarvis agreed. "I feel our district has been better-run, more solid and more self-sufficient as its own entity," he said. But candidates Hall and Blackburn said they would definitely explore the option of merging the entities. "When you have two boards, two sets of management, two billing departments," it may be inefficient, Hall said. He also noted that the city provides water outside its boundaries and said it could do the same for sewer service. Audience member Don Dennison, an inspector with the sanitation district, praised the board. "You’ve done a wonderful job," he said. "I want to apologize for this even happening to you. . . . Are you ever going to be able to forgive us?" Rather nonplussed by the question, Jarvis said it is the right of the people to recall officials, but he thought it should be done for gross misconduct or illegal acts, not policy disputes. Candidate Foster asked whether the sanitation district’s regulations were too strict. "There’s contractors who say, ‘I would never bid another job in the city of Cortez because of the cost.’ I’ve heard (District Manager) Bill Smith won’t give an inch." Jarvis replied that Smith does interpret the regulations strictly but is just doing what the board tells him. Hall, however, noted that Smith has influence on the board’s policies. "Am I wrong to assume that Bill has a lot of input into those regulations?" Hall asked. "You are not wrong," Jarvis admitted. Jarvis and Bridgewater listed some of the district’s strengths as an ongoing program to replace bad pipes, a comprehensive growth plan and reasonable service fees. They said the board has been responsive to citizen concerns. But Blackburn in particular disagreed. "The board has done some pretty good planning regarding this (new) plant," he said. "But I disagree that the board has provided any long-term planning in infrastructure replacement. I disagree that they’re responsive to citizens." He said the district has "poor communication with customers, the city, and contractors." "I do believe there is a valid reason for the recall," he said, adding that he wants to work on improving relations with other entities. "I like problem-solving, and boy, this is a good one," he said. |
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Copyright © 2001 the Cortez Journal.
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