UPDATE City considering 4.5 percent hike in sewer, water fees

I understand everyone including businesses are hit hard during this time of economic downturn-- but why demand more money from people right now-- isn't there enough people having a hard enough time just making ends meet... I am also curious as to why Idaho Power, Intermountain Gas, Qwest, and many other utility agencies can offer a little break/assistance to those who are extreemly low income yet our city water sewer and trash offer nothing and if you are late- oh well you are shut off with no chance of payment plans... They don't care if you needed food for the kids to eat, now you have no water... I am not saying give it to those who are on low income for free but at least realize there are circumstances where people need a little break, and occasionally there are emergencies that happen.

I have found the water dept. to be very impersonal with their customers. They had a computer problem at the end of summerand monthly payment that were set up on line was not taken out. I get a phone call around 10 am that I must come in and make a payment before 5 pm or I will be taken off level pay. First, I am employed and would not have been home to get that message, thankfully (I guess) my husband was home ill to get the mesaage. The threat of lossing level pay is a power trip for these employees. As a paying customer with out any late payments for the last 15 years, you think I could have had a 24-48 hours to drop off my payment in a check form. This is only one of the reasons many people are up set with the city of mountain home.

All of you folks should go to the meeting and voice your concerns to the mayor and CC. There was a meeting about 2 weeks ago...not 1 member of the public was present.

Go to the meeting. Voice your opinion. The mayor and CC would love to have you there and hear from you. If you do not go...you have no right to complain. The only way they know how the public feels is if you tell them and get it on the record. All of the above/involved would really like the input.

They dont offer a break because they do not have to. Where else can you go? I have had more than one bad experience with the City Water Department. The Administrative staff there are often very rude and seem like they could care less. One of my oldest and dearest MH friends had her water turned off last year and she as well works until 5:00 and was unable to pay. She called the public works building and was told by an after hours employee that her water would not be turned back on until payment was recieved by the office they next day! Mind you this was November and she had at that time 6 MONTH old baby as well as a 4 year old. She doesnt make a lot of money and was just having a hard time. They refused to help her. While it was definently her fault for the late payment, there is no process in place to come turn the water back on after hours for those who are not available MON-FRI 8-5. She told the worker that she could have a neighbor turn the water back on for her so her pipes would nto freeze and put the payment in the drop box that evening so it would be there first thing the next day, and he told ehr if she did this that he would personally come there and remove her water meter that evening...it was terrible. They should be ashamed.

When the Budget was made - the biggest share of the money, once again, went to the Golf Course.

That just isn't right. Everyone is struggling to make it with the bad ecconomy. Most can't afford to golf and certainly cannot pay for the 1% that do.

The water department should have received part of the Golf Course money.

It is criminal to expect to raise the water fee at all.