Billing Error-Septic Tanks, Etc.

Sunday's Journal.....

Billing error will cost sewer users 24-months back-pay
Sewer requirement could cost current septic users thousands to tap in

MIDDLETOWN — A billing error resulted in several residents receiving free sewer services for more than a decade.
A septic tank inspection report compiled by the Middletown Health Department revealed three households in the Thorny Acres subdivision had removed their septic systems and hooked up to the city sewer line in the 1990s. However, these homes were not billed for sewer service.

Duane Wooton, assistant finance director and treasurer for the city, said the households did legally pull permits to connect to the sewer and pay the necessary connection fee. That information just never made it to the water billing department.
“Somewhere, somehow communication broke down and they weren’t billed,” he said.

HOW IS THAT THE RESIDENT'S FAULT DUANE?

There is a statute of limitations for sewer charges of six years. Wooton said because there is “mutual responsibility in the error” the city will collect 24-months back-pay from the households.

"MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY"? AND WHERE IS THAT WRITTEN DUANE? SOUNDS TO ME IT WAS A CITY ADMIN. SCREWUP AND NOW YOU WANT THE PEOPLE TO PAY. WHEN IS THE CITY GOING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT'S MISTAKES AND STOP PENALIZING THE PEOPLE?

IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE CITY IS FISHING FOR REVENUE AGAIN USING THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND PHILLIPS TO SEND OUT HER PEOPLE TO INSPECT OPPORTUNITIES TO GATHER MORE "GRASPING AT STRAWS" REVENUE. WHY ARE THEY JUST NOW CONCERNED ABOUT TAPPING INTO THE CITY SEWER, WHEN THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES? ADDITIONAL REVENUE BY ANY MEANS. COLLECT THAT SEWER CHARGE ON THAT WATER BILL. THEY WILL SAY IT IS DICTATED FROM STATE LAW.

Phillips and the old health department is really stroking the public about the need for more money in her area with the upcoming health levy.

Journal story about STD's in the city......

Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise locally and health officials say without funding it could become epidemic

In Hamilton, reported cases of chlamydia and hepatitis b and c rose 44 percent and 67 percent, respectively, in the past decade. Middletown reported an 48 percent increase of hepatitis b and c.

Health officials said much of that is tied to lack of resources for education and the closing of free STD clinics

“STDs are on the bottom line of communicable diseases,” Phillips said. “They won’t make a lot of people sick or kill people. But chlamydia — left untreated —can lead to infertility.”

The cost

Testing can be costly, especially for the uninsured

“The health department is supposed to promote, detect and prevent,” Phillips said. “It gets hard when you don’t have the money and you don’t have the staff and you have to prioritize what you do and what the state mandates.”

SELL IT PHILLIPS, SELL IT. THIS IS THE SECOND STORY ON THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS IN RECENT WEEKS. FUNNY HOW THESE STORIES SURFACE WHEN A LEVY IS PROPOSED AND THE NEED IS NOT PUBLICIZED AT ANY OTHER TIME. IT IS ALMOST TOO COMICAL AS TO THE OBVIOUS INTENT OF THIS INFORMATION.

Just wow how desperate are these people.