It is the policy of the City of Marfa not to comment on personnel matters. However, as was reported out of Executive Session, Ms. Walter’s separation was a joint decision between her and the city council. The city will not be commenting further about Ms. Walter’s employment, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
Regarding the city’s water utility billing practices, the city has been reviewing various matters, including accounts where meters show no volumetric change, which is often referred to as zero reads. This does not mean the customers are not being billed for water. Several reasons could cause a zero reading: the service has been discontinued, the meter is broken, the meter was not accessible, or the meter is buried. If water is being delivered to the address and the meter has not been read, the minimum water rate will continue being charged to the customer. Each account holder, property address and meter is separate in the utility billing system and all account holders pay for their water usage only, therefore other customers are not being billed for any discrepancies between the minimum water rate and the actual water being used. The only potential result is a lost revenue to the city equal to the amount of water used but unbilled.
Over the last several years the city has been working to address these issues and has replaced various meters that were broken or buried. The city has recently received another order of meters to continue through the list. However, in the interest of maintaining low water rates and taxes, the city does not have the financial means to replace all affected meters at once, therefore these meters are planned to be replaced over time. The city is currently evaluating a proposal to replace all remaining meters at an approximate cost of $800,000, however the city does not have a plan currently in place to fund such a project.
It should be noted that the city applies the same processes for collections to all account holders. The allegation that the city intentionally charges more affluent members of the community less for water and that those who are struggling financially are being unduly burdened is untrue. The city does, however, work with those who are experiencing financial hardships to place them on payment plans and avoid disconnecting service for non-payment. This option is available to all customers within the city and we encourage individuals in this situation to contact the city for assistance.
With the recent changes at City Hall, staff are adjusting and trying to pick up where things left off. The city anticipates resuming second notices and water shutoffs in May and expects an increase in the number of customers applying for payment plans in order to prevent disconnection.
To conclude, the City of Marfa remains committed to improving its utility billing processes and ensuring fair treatment for all customers. Despite the challenges faced, the city is dedicated to addressing issues with water meters and providing support to those experiencing financial hardships.
Manuel V Baeza
Mayor, City of Marfa
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Dear Editor,
In response to the Marfa City Council’s decision to adopt the motion brought by Councilmember Mark Morrison and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Raul Lara to wrongfully terminate newly hired City Manager Andrea Walter for doing the job they hired her to do, I repeat the enduring Solomonic wisdom of Moira Rose:
“What you did was impulsive, capricious, and melodramatic … but it was also wrong.”
Tony Georges
Marfa