Repairs to Flo Water Well in final stages

Workers are busy pouring concrete for a pad for a new electrical panel at the Flo Water Plant. The Flo Community Water Supply Corporation held its regular meeting on January 15 at the Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church. General Manager Jim Martin reported that repair construction on the existing Flo water well is in its final stages. Workers are in the process of replacing yard pipes and increasing booster pumps so that the capacity goes from 250 gallons per minute to 750 gallons per minute. Martin reported that this is the last week of rationing. He also explained that the repairs and related rationing had been delayed until this time of year when there is almost no outside watering. Repairs are expected to be completed by the first week of February.

Board President Bob Boettcher introduced Aimee Hess from Streetman as the Board's new attorney. Hess addressed the Board briefly, stating some of her experiences with water boards and then said that she would like to observe how the Board conducted business. Later in the meeting the Board went into executive session with Hess to discuss the possible lease of property from Alan Helmcamp at the Weedon site and the acquisition of other property. There was no action taken when the Board came out of Executive Session.

Attorney Aimee Hess addresses the Flo Water Board. Sherry's Shots The first item under "Old Business" was a question concerning the Board's position when there is no room for a meter on a potential member's property. If a neighbor gives permission to place the member's meter on the neighbor's property, will this be allowed? Office Manager Cindy Pate referred to Texas Rural Water Association (TRWA) which recommends that all meters should be installed on members' land. If land ownership changes the new owners are often not compatible and there are frequently problems for the member as well as the Water Company. The Board acknowledged that there are several instances where the situation already exists and voted to draft a policy statement to allow 90 days for correction if the need arises.

The Board voted to replace two of the existing trucks with new vehicles. Consensus was that the best buy was from Philpott Ford in Beaumont where one truck was a 2009 ¾ ton with 4 wheel drive for $24,783; the other a 2009 ¾ ton with 4 wheel drive and a service body. One of the old trucks will be used by the office and the other will probably be sold.

The Tariff, which governs the Board's actions, states that water bills should go to members and not to renters of the member's property. The Board voted to amend the Tariff so that the renter may be billed directly.

The Board voted to adopt a form to be used when records and associated costs are requested. The request must be made in writing, on the newly adopted form, and the Water office is obligated to make information available when requested and to handle the petition with courtesy. Board President Boettcher noted that the media should be treated no differently than anyone else and the requestor must not be asked why the information is being ordered.

Member William Lack, from the Peeler Switch area, had waited patiently though the Executive Session and other business items before it was time for him to address the Board. Lack had a complaint concerning a charge of more than $800 which he received for a flush valve that was found broken on his property by a water employee. The employee said that he had been on Lack's property one month and the flush valve was intact but when he returned the next month some mobile homes had been brought onto the property and the flush valve was broken. The Tariff states that the owner of the property is responsible for damages to equipment. Lack stated adamantly that he did not break the valve and, in fact, did not even know that it was a flush valve because it was not identified by the Water Company. He stated that he had moved some mobile homes onto his property but had been careful not to run over the pipe. After some discussion the Board voted to forgive Lack the outstanding balance acknowledging the need to identify critical equipment on members' property.

The Board discussed at length and approved changes to the Annual Meeting Procedures which were presented by the Credentials Committee. Procedures primarily cover ways to insure the integrity of the ballots which have been cast. The Committee consists of Doris Pittman, Mary Foucheux and Wallace Jones. President Boettcher thanked the Committee members for their hard work, on behalf of the Board.

Procedures were amended to allow two non-board members to serve on the Credential Committee along with the Secretary/Treasurer of the Board. Membership currently calls for the Secretary/ Treasurer of the Board, one other Board member and one non-board member.

In other business there was no one present for "Open Forum" and December minutes and expenses were approved. Bob Boettcher and Wallace Jones were authorizes as signatories on the Edward Jones employee retirement account. Martin advised the Board that the 30,000 gallon tank needs to be sandblasted and coated with epoxy. Several items were tabled until the next meeting.