Concerns are voiced over city’s water bills at meeting

Concerns over city water bills was a topic of discussion at Tuesday’s Ville Platte City Council meeting. Councilwoman Faye Lemoine said some citizens are telling her they have “outrageous water bills.” She said people, who are living alone, are paying $60-$80 water bills and then go back down to the normal $30-something.
Mayor Jennifer Vidrine said if anyone has a complaint about their bill, they can call City Hall and ask for the utility department and the problem will be researched. “We’re sending people out and also looking at the reads (meters).”
Lemoine asked if the reading was maybe not working well for a couple of months and then working. “It could be a lot of things,” said Vidrine. Lemoine interjected, “I know, but if you have no leaks, nobody’s in your house but one person, how do you prove. Nothing gets done. You don’t all of a sudden pay a $60 water bill when you’re living by yourself.”
Councilman Bryant Riggs agreed, saying “something is going on. That’s common sense.” But he also said some people do not understand how the utility increases worked. The increases were divided into two years. “Yes, it is hard on some people. We have to acknowledge that. But we had to do it. We’ve met the satisfaction of our bonds. We’re where we need to be,” he said.
Vidrine said sometimes people get higher bills and do not know why, so the city researches it, using a computer program, and sends a team to look outside the property. “We look at like five or six different things, and if there’s a problem, we make the adjustment.”
“But what happens when there’s no problem, when nothing shows, and people still have to pay these very high bills?” asked Lemoine.
Riggs gave an example of an interaction before the meeting. Someone was concerned about their bill. He had the utilities department look up the customer’s water consumption before and after the rate increase. The program showed water usage when the person was not home. “It could be a leak. It’s something that has to be looked into,” he said.
Vidrine said one customer had a toilet leaking and another customer had a leak in the wall they did not know about. “We’re telling people, you don’t have to take it at face value. Bring your bill, and we’ll be happy to look into it,” she said.
“What about when you can’t prove you didn’t use it and you still have to pay that bill” asked Lemoine. Riggs agreed, saying they do need to look further into it. He stressed again the city did not want to raise the utilities, but they had to do it. “We had no choice. We raised it to where it needs to be. If the state would have come in, one man would have made that decision and we would’ve lived with it for the rest of our lives.”
Further in the meeting, Mayor Vidrine announced DOTD will be repairing and/or overlaying Main Street, LaSalle Street, and Tate Cove Road since those are considered state roads. Also DOTD will be coming back to Ville Platte next week to do a walk-through on the drainage on LaSalle and South Chataignier and Main. They will also be pruning tree branches obstructing street lights on the three main roads. The repair of Main Street sidewalks is also on the list.
Lemoine brought up the issue of faded and damaged street signs. Vidrine said they will be replaced, and so will damaged stop signs. The street signs will be in English and French, thanks to a partnership with the Ville Platte High French Club which will be translating the names. MedExpress will be helping by putting together a list of all street signs and all of the streets needing stop signs.
Vidrine further announced there will be no Christmas parade this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Town square park will be lit up for Christmas, but there is to be no gathering at the park for the lighting. City Hall will be decorated with their traditional decorations, but for window viewing only.
Vidrine reminded citizens City Hall is not closed. The drive-through is open, and if anyone needs to do in-person business, they can go to the door and be let in one at a time.
Councilman Lionel Anderson commended the landlords in his district who have taken the initiative to cut grass and take down some old houses. “In my neighborhood, they’re doing a tremendous job,” he said. “We still have a lot of work left.”
Vidrine announced the police substation, located in one of the Ville Platte Housing apartments across from the old L&V Superette, is open and functioning. There is a police presence, and a revolving security camera will be placed there shortly.
The council also recognized the retirement of three city employees: Erven Bourque, who retired after 24 years of service to the Ville Platte Police Department and Animal Control Department; Jay Johnson, who retired after 26 years as a Ville Platte fireman; and Ville Platte Fire Chief Chris Harrison, who retired after 26 years of service.
Look for more on Tuesday’s meeting in Sunday’s Ville Platte Gazette.