This article appeared in The Ledger on Saturday, December 4, 2010. Sewage Drives Polk City Family From Home and speaks volumes as to the sewer problems and repairs that Polk City is facing. Will these problems continue to plague our city residents until, possibly, Polk City Officials can eventually obtain grant money to pay for extensive repair and replacement of the old pipes? There is no money in the present city budget that will pay for these expensive repairs. Even under the newly signed contract with Woodard and Curran, only $500.00 is allotted for each repair, and the balance is additional expense for the city. Not a great way to start out the new fiscal year. Which fund will be depleted to pay for this "unplanned" expense?
In February, 2011, the third payment in the amount of $174,386.00 is due to the County on the Mt. Olive Spray Field loan, and let's not forget the outstanding debt of $531,199 for impact fees that Polk City collected in 2007 and 2008 but did not forward to the county. According to The Ledger article dated November 4, 2010, the city has budgeted $150,530 in the 2010-11 budget to make a partial payment of the impact-fee debt, but Polk County is demanding PAYMENT IN FULL. It doesn't sound like Polk City residents can expect a reduction in utility rates and fees or a lower milleage rate anytime in the near future!
Now things seem to be really getting out of control. What a health hazard this situation with sewer flooding homes. Does anyone realize how serious this is. Where did the run off go in addition to inside the homes. Was there large amounts of raw sewer going into the ground water. I have real reservations about the ability of this city to properly monitor not only the sewer but our water. They can't seem to manage to run anything properly, from mismanagement of fund, to billing and reading water meters. How can we have any confidence that they have the ability to provide safe water. I will no longer be putting any trust in their system and management. I will be using bottled water from now on. I fear that we are all in serious trouble here in Polk City. What will happen next?????? I pray the state will hear our pleas and step in soon.
ReplyDeleteWas it not irresponsible for the $1700/week man, Frank Sanderson, to authorize the use of the pressure generating machine to try to clear up the flow problems in the "ancient" sewer pipes? He knew the system was too old to have measures in place, like the newer systems have, to prevent the backup into the toilets and bathtubs of city residents.
ReplyDeleteTed Borsje'