The Sandusky city council approved assessing 10% to unpaid late water bills at the council meeting Monday night. City Manager Dave Faber said there are roughly 300 of the 1,200 accounts city wide that are consistently paying late and council is hoping the change in policy will lower that number. Faber pointed out over the course of a year, more than $324,000 is due in unpaid balances. While some on council felt the increase was on the high side, a unanimous vote was passed to implement the new fee. The city manager said even those who make payment arrangements will still be assessed the new fee. Faber also reported the new B,S & A software training is complete and office staff is now using the new, more efficient technology. The first water bills, along with a newsletter, have been mailed out to residents with positive responses to the new system, according to Faber.
In other council news, Numatics donated $3,000 to the Sandusky police department to be used how Chief Brett Lester sees fit. Chief Lester said he is very thankful for the donation to the department. Lester said being able to purchase new ballistic vests or weapons is key and something not normally budgeted for each year. The most recent donation brings a total of $18,000 that has been donated to the department over the past few years, allowing Lester to purchase several items and provide additional training.
Council gave the OK to Umbaugh, a financial firm, to develop a proposal for local banks to bid on banking city funds. After council approved a not-to-exceed amount of $5,000 for the study, Faber said all local banks will be given an opportunity to bid and council will see where the best interest rates are, and where the city’s money should be deposited.
