The plan itself is geared to help those with fixed and…
By ROBERT PIERCE
Relief is most likely in sight for those suffering from high heating bills after the Guymon City Council passed a temporary utility relief plan along with other proposals at its meeting on Wednesday.
The plan itself is geared to help those with fixed and low incomes, as well as those with financial difficulties.
Under the plan:
• The customer must call to make payment arrangements for any unpaid portion of their bill;
• Customers must pay at least half of their bill when due;
• The customer must adhere to the payment arrangements;
• If the customer does not follow the preceding policies, they will be subject to cut-off of utility service;
• Penalties will be waived temporarily;
• Customer should be made aware that at some point in time (to be determined at a later date) their entire bill will need to be made current;
• Council should review this temporary policy each month to determine the length of continuation; and
• The effective date of this policy will be for bills mailed after January 1, 2001.
“In the meantime,” said City Manager Wayne Hill, “residents should practice energy conservation and insulate their homes as much as possible.”
Hill said the city will monitor gas prices for the next few months and once prices start to drop the temporary plan will be discontinued.
“Those currently on the plan when it is discontinued will have a chance to finish out the plan before starting back on regular utility payments,” Hill told the Daily Herald.
The council also approved the resolution calling for an election to fill the council seats in Wards 1 and 2. The election will be held on April 3, and the filing period for candidates will be held from 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 5, to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
The request for extension of time on the dilapidated structures at 206 NE 7th, 702 N. Crumley, and 701 N. Ellison was denied. Instead, as part of a community improvement program, the city approved authorization to advertise for bids on the removal of the structures and cleaning of the property.
In further action, three engineering firms were interviewed as consultants for the Federal Aviation and Airport Improvement Program. No prices were announced; however, Hill said the estimated cost of the project was $1.12 million with the city providing 10% of this cost.
The plan, according to Hill, is still in the beginning stages. Among other things, the city needs federal approval for the project.
The council also passed a proposal to put warning signs at Northridge Circle. There will be official entry and exit signs posted on each side of the parking lot.
Finally, three new members were appointed to the Citizens’ Advisory Committee, and two new members were appointed to the library board. Each of these appointments carries a three-year term.
Those appointed to the CAC were Jim Pieratt, Doug Woolery, and Billy Eagan. Those appointed to the library board were Louise Crissler and Lita Shephard.
