City of Brownwood officials reported that tens of thousands of dollars are being recouped thanks to an audit of utility services, and more refunds are expected in the near future.
City of Brownwood Finance Director Walter Middleton reported at Tuesday’s city council meeting that electric and phone service billing was recently audited which revealed a large amount of overbilling. The audit, according to Middleton, found electric overbilling which amounted to $97,525, of which the city has recovered $53,638 and is expecting another $38,433 claim to be received soon.
City officials are in the process of negotiating the refund of such and met in executive session Tuesday to decide how to proceed on overbilling from Verizon.
After the executive session, City Manager Bobby reported that actions are being taken to negotiate a settlement with Verizon, including if necessary filing suit.
“In August 2011, the City of Brownwood hired Ben Sanford, a consultant with Tri-Stem, Ltd. to conduct an audit of the city’s phone billings and services. The City has filed a claim with Verizon asking for a refund of approximately $94,000 for overbilling,” said Rountree. “The City Council authorized Tri-Stem, Ltd., and their consultant, Ben Sanford & Associates, to continue negotiating a claim with Verizon to reimburse overbilling and to take any and all actions, including, filing suit against Verizon on behalf of the City of Brownwood to collect the claim.”Middleton stated that the audit has taken over two years of hard work by Tri-Stem, Ltd. and it has been and will continue to be very important to the city.
“It’s been an interesting two years trying to get this done. With the work that has been done on the electrical side, it’s not just the money we recoup, it’s a future savings because these things that have been fixed will continue to be fixed for a while,” Middleton said. “On the phone side, we have got a lot of issues, so that will continue on for a little while longer, but I think we are probably just about done on the electrical side.”
In other matters on Tuesday’s agenda:
* Council approved action by the Brownwood Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) to provide $10,000 toward infrastructure assistance to The Texas Rock Crusher Railway (TXR) for the rail crossing on Burnet Road. Due to safety issues the railroad crossing behind 3M on Burnet Road must be replaced and signals installed. Federal and State funds are being allocated and the total project will be $300,000. The improved track will be much smoother and will benefit the companies and general traffic on Burnet Road. The low bid for the track work is $57,893.61. TXR will pay for or provide materials; however they have asked the City of Brownwood to provide all roadway work (asphalt repair and finish work) and traffic control for the project.
*Council approved a 12 month lease between the BEDC and TG Mercer regarding the use of the BEDC property on FM 45 (across the highway from the T.R. Havins Unit). The lease allows the use of the land for TG Mercer to store 63 miles of pipe to be unloaded off of Blake Street (near Roberts and Petty) for approximately 12 months. The pipe will be trucked out a few loads per week and used in construction of the BridgeTex Oil Pipeline which will run from Colorado City to the Houston Gulf Coast area.
Terms of the lease are 12 months with a month-to-month option; $200/month per acre for 5-7 acres; certain trees will be identified by BEDC that TG Mercer will not remove; TG Mercer will be responsible for property taxes, clearing, dirt work, fence (to allow current agricultural lease to continue), and will pay for one driveway; TG Mercer will remove berms and fencing upon termination; BEDC will be responsible for TxDOT permitting of driveways and construction of driveways; BEDC will pay for one driveway; and a 90 day notice to terminate lease in the event of another project.
*Council approved rezoning several properties which include the following:
- 1223 Neuman Street (14.834 acres) from R3 Multi-Family Residential District to M-1 Restricted Industrial District
- 7.75 acres at the intersection of Dublin and Hackberry Streets, owned by Gary Meador, from R3 Multi-Family Residential District and MH Manufactured Home/Mobile Home District to A1 Agricultural District
- 1111 Willis Street (9.57 acres) from R1 Single Family Residential District to RR Residential Rural District
- 1707 Shaw Drive (12.91 acres) from R1 Single Family Residential District and C1 Local Business District to RR Residential Rural District
- 110 Walnut Street (8.2 acres) from R2 Two Family Residential District to A1 Agricultural District
- 1600 Avenue E from R2 Two Family Residential District to CO Commercial Office District
*City Manager Bobby Rountree reminded citizens of local activities this weekend, including the Hardin Museum Celebrate the Legend Banquet which will be held this Saturday, June 15th at the Adams Street Community Center and the Juneteenth Celebration to be held June 14th & 15th at Cecil Holeman Park.
*Citizens were also reminded to sign up for Code Red alerts. CLICK HERE to sign up for this free service.
