The Rockdale City Council, expressing a desire to assist water customers with paying their bill during the COVID-19 crisis, did just that during a called meeting Monday afternoon.
The council also okayed giving Mayor John King the authority to bring city COVID-19 actions into line with county, state and federal decrees and postponed the May 2 election, although not setting a date yet.
WATER—Noting that with hand-washing many times a day as an action on the front lines of virus defense, King and the council agreed “we sure don’t want to cut off anyone’s water.”
After discussion, the council agreed to the following modifications for water rates:
• Waive additional fees for the duration of the local State of Disaster.
• Will suspend disconnection of services (cutting off water) if the following conditions are met:
A. COVID-19 related events (such as quarantine for symptoms, self-quarantine for exposure, loss of employment, etc.)—must provide documentation/ proof to city.
B. Requests for payment will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Extensions will require proof as described in A. above and a signed payment plan.
C. Written request to city for payment plan may be dropped off at City Hall drive-through window or drop by, emailed, mailed or faxed.
D. Partial payment must accompany request for extension /payment plan with regular payments due at assigned date/time that comply with payment plan agreement. Customer must make a good faith effort to comply with the agreement.
For more information call City Hall at 512-446-2511.
POWERS—The council discussed the COVID-19 situation and agreed to bestow upon Mayor King the authority to keep the city more in sync with those of the county.
King noted the mayor may only act for seven days without council action and some actions of Milam County are extending well beyond that.
On Thursday, commissioners extended the current State of Disaster in the county through May 7.
King assessed the situation:
“We want to be ‘ahead of the curve’,” he said. “I think we’re only on the front of this. I think we’re 12 weeks out (from any relaxation of current strictures).”
VOTE DELAYED—The council discussed delaying the scheduled May 2 votes, perhaps to the November general election.
There are: one city council race, one school board race and two special elections on the ballot.
Lin Perry and Monique Gebhart are vying to replace west ward council member Doug Calame, who did not seek re-election.
School board election pits Michael Whited and Janice Keen in Place 6.
Special elections are to decide whether to convey Fair Park to the Rockdale Fair Association and whether to expand the Rockdale Hospital District’s boundaries to those of the RISD.
The Rockdale ISD board has an agenda item on delaying the balloting on its agenda for Thursday.
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