Dunkirk adjusts utility rules

DUNKIRK— City council will now have more leeway in dealing with residents’ utility bills during the coronavirus pandemic.

Council members passed an ordinance allowing them to grant adjustments and payment plans for residents who have accrued a large overdue balance.  

The utility ordinance previously only allowed for adjustments and payment plans in the case of underground leaks, and residents with overdue bills generally have their water shut off after one month of nonpayment.

From March to August, an executive order from Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb prohibited the city from shutting off any utility because of nonpayment. Council has since approved several repayment plans for residents who accrued a large balance during that time period.

However, an unusual circumstance was brought before council in October. Roy and Sue Bunch told council that a tenant at one of their rental properties had accrued a balance of $4,491.31 as a result of an ongoing above-ground faucet leak. The tenant did not inform the Bunches of the leak or pay the utility bills; meanwhile, the city was not able to shut off the water at the residence because of the governor’s order. The Bunches were not informed about the overdue balance or leak until the tenant moved out and left them with the bill.

Council members approved an ordinance allowing them to adjust bills and create payment plans for any excess charges incurred as a result of the governor’s executive orders related to the coronavirus pandemic. While the Bunches’ situation is the only one of its kind known to the city, council is preparing for any additional problems that may arise.

“We’re not through COVID yet, we don’t know that this isn’t going to happen again. The governor could put the same order back in any day,” said clerk-treasurer Tina Elliott.

“I don’t know that we have that much in the past, but we might very well have some in the future.”

While council members passed the ordinance, they decided to table discussion of the Bunches’ situation until after their court case against their former tenant is settled. The clerk’s office will now alert landlords when their tenants are past due on utility bills. 

In other business, council members Jesse Bivens, Tom Johnson, Lisa Street, Bryan Jessup and Kevin Hamilton:

•Heard updates on how the city is handling the coronavirus pandemic. The majority of the departments are operating on staggered schedules to avoid close contact between employees, and the city building will remain closed to the public at least through December. Residents are still welcome to call the clerk’s office and can pay their bills online or by using the drop-box. The police and fire departments will continue with their regular shift schedule.

•Decided to continue meeting in person, with social distancing and an occupancy limit in the city building, as opposed to virtually.

•Heard that the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Community Crossings project to repave several streets in the city is substantially complete, with only a few signs remaining to be collected by the contractors. The city has applied for additional grant funding to repave Moore Avenue and Layne Drive.

•Learned more about the Feel the Warmth event, which is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday. Santa Claus will be available for outdoor visits at Glass Capital Grill’s patio, local officials will serve hot chocolate at the city building and other businesses will be involved. Additionally, there will be a tree lighting in the green space.

•Heard that the Christmas lights have been placed on the light poles on Main Street.

•Were informed the Dunkirk Neighborhood Crime Watch will be hosting a Light-Up Dunkirk event from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 23. Participants must have their lights on throughout the entire event and can contact Al Curts at (765) 768-7584 or Dunkirk Police Department to sign up. There will be prizes for best residential display, best business display and mayor’s choice.

•Approved payments of $2,195 for electrical work at Dunkirk City Pool, $2,480 to Choice One Engineering for trail design in Dunkirk City Park, $2,950 to Culy Contracting for line cleaning and scoping and $1,855 to Wilson Heating & Cooling for work on the city building.

•Agreed to a $300 sponsorship for the Community Concerns Food Bank.

At the Dunkirk Board of Works and Public Safety meeting directly preceding the council meeting, board members Dan Watson, Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins and Street:

•Heard reconstruction of the animal shelter is making progress. The Jay County Animal Control Task Force will visit council Jan. 25 to talk about its progress on starting a county animal shelter.

•Learned there will be two additional leaf pickup days Dec. 3 and 4.

•Heard turnout at the Dunkirk Fire Department’s Haunted Woods was the highest it’s ever been.