Water Billing System Woes Continue to Plague the Town of Hornsby {video}

The Town of Hornsby met for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

Some good news to report is the town finally received its 2022/2023 audit. Most of the copies of the audit report were complete, but a few were missing pages that will have to be copied and added later. The audit revealed more actions that need to be taken to get the water department accounting books in order, which include writing off bad debt from previous customers and the need to enforce collection on current delinquent accounts.

Pam Parchman took over the huge task in June of getting the water department billing system in order. After working diligently for several months, she decided to submit her resignation at the end of the October 3, 2023, meeting stating “this is my last 40-hour month!”

The part-time job has become more than a fulltime job requiring numerous hours each week to handle the problems that already existed in that office. Along with Parchman having to learn the system and how to tailor it to the needs of the Town of Hornsby, with minimal technical support from the billing system company, the upcoming water bill audit, “tremendous water leaks that were left over”, and having to “cut every penny we can” are just some of the issues she has faced since taking the job.

With the previous suggestion the job can be done in 40 hours, Parchman commented, “You are looking for a magician, not an employee. It can’t be done! . . . Honestly, I just think I could live here and not ever catch up. That place is in turmoil.”

Other topics covered at the meeting include:

Ethics Policy Second and Final Reading {2:13 min mark}

All approved.

Purchasing Policy {2:40 min mark}

City Attorney {5:06 min mark}

Ben Ayris, a Hornsby resident, was hired as the new Town of Hornsby attorney. His background is in criminal law. Ayris gave the alderman two hiring options and they voted to approve option two that hires him on a $500 month retainer providing five hours of service, and $125 for each additional hour.

Audit {24:24 min mark}

Budget {26:38 min mark}

The budget was approved.

Water Department {46:48 min mark}

According to the audit, there are two delinquent accounts that need to be charged off; Chris Allen for $2,000.77 and Roger Allen (deceased) for $252.72 that have duplicate names on the same account number. Because those balances were not resolved prior to the current owners activating water service a couple of years ago, their balance is tied into the delinquent amount due. The board agreed to write off the bad debt for the Allens.

Hornsby Alderman Pat Plunk added, “at no point ever in the Hornsby water system have deposits been made correctly.”

Street Department {58:16 min mark}

Nick Jackson was approved to do tree maintenance.

Police Department {1:07:58 min mark}

No report.

Fire Department {1:08:04 min mark}

No report.

Agenda Addition

Discussion of extending the water line at the request of a resident. A person who wants the extension done will have to pay the expense of the extension that includes the plans drawn up by a licensed engineer. Those plans will need to be submitted to the TDEC and approved.

Public Discussion

None.

Right before the meeting was proposed to adjourn, Pam Parchman who manages the water billing department tendered her resignation. After further discussion about the issues she is facing as she does her job, and considering the additional hardship the Town of Hornsby will face with her departure, Parchman suggested tabling her resignation.

Next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

You may watch the full meeting here to see everything that was covered.

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