IS IT TRUE July 1, 2013

1. The meter dept has been buying the Johnson Controls meters for at least the last two years. The system to read them over the internet is not in place but the meters are being bought as if it will be in place. I do not know if these meters are more expensive then the touch read meters they bought previously. They can be read with the currant equipment.

   • Whoa. What?

     If this is true, it’s a big deal. I’d like to know under whose direction were the JCI meters bought.

     • Replacing older meters is routine maintenance. My question is are these meters more expensive then currant ones. Were the meters included in the 45 million dollar contract.Routine maintenance should be already in the budget. If the meters are included in the contract are we going to buy them twice. This may not sound as far fetched as you might think. It is an old accounting trick to sneak a routine maintenance item in as a extraordinary expense. You maintain your budget an get your new toy. Bosses an accountants love to do this. Sorry for the windy post.

       • So what you’re alleging is that Allen Mounts, Director of Evansville Water and Sewer, has been buying up Johnson Controls meters and logging them as routine maintenance items?

         Am I reading that properly? You should click on “Mole Hotline” at the top of the page and spell out what you know in a message to the Editor. We’d all like to hear about it, I’m sure.

         If this is true, it is a huge scandal. This is illegal as hell – buying meters in anticipation of City Council approval.

         • We are doing what we can to monitor this. We must point out that there are those who believe that City Council approval is not required to complete the Johnson Controls deal.

         • No what I am stating is that they have been buying meters that will be compatible with the new system. They do not need approval to buy new meters to replace old meters. If they are costing no more this is a sound decision. That is the reason I questioned whether meters were included in the bid. We will eventually go to wifi reading. If the contract includes 50,000 meters an we already upgraded some of them this should be reflected in the price. The bid would be a capital expense, replacing old meters is a routine expense. For your information all the old meters can be retrofitted to do this also. This is not considered a good practice as the meters do not get tested if retrofitted in ground. Believe me I know Allen Mounts he will do every thing legal. We just need to as always look out for the sneagal stuff

         • I understood what you were saying about the discrepancy of meters that would be needed if the Water Dept had already purchased some beforehand, but that’s not the biggest issue here. The biggest issue is why is someone from the Water Dept going on the assumption the Council will approve the deal and buying meters with wifi capability when, as you pointed out, the infrastructure still needs to be approved for funding?

           In my research, yes, the new smart meters cost a helluva lot more than the old meters. The batteries in the new meters alone (which will die within 15-20 years) cost about half what an old style mechanical meter would cost.

         • I would not want a 15 to twenty year old meter at my home. Meter technology has changed like every thing else in life. I do not think you can even but an old manual read meter any more. In my career I went from fine brass watchwork quality meters to totally electronic. The new ones were no more actuate then the old ones. Just easier to read and more tamper proof.98.5% to 101% accuracy. Any salesman that tells you he can beat that I would not believe.

       • The following information would likewise apply to the City of Evansville:

         FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

         Q. What is the difference between the general fund and the utilities fund?
         A. The general fund is made up of revenues received by the city – primarily from real estate taxes, local income taxes or COIT (County Option Income Tax), taxes on cigarettes and gasoline, gaming revenues and fees for services rendered through the various departments of the city. New Castle has also benefited from the locally adopted food and beverage tax by receiving a grant from that commission for a capital project at Osborne Park.
         The City of New Castle operates both water and sewer utilities. The utilities are not funded with tax revenues. They are businesses, and stand alone as do other businesses. Their funds are generated through user fees or from the sale of water or sewer related services. Revenues are raised by the imposition of a rate structure upon those who utilize the services or purchase the commodity. That rate structure is established by the passage of a rate ordinance by the City Council.
         Q. How does government determine the amount of money needed for its operations?
         A. It is the responsibility of the executive branch (Mayor) to prepare a budget for review and consideration by the legislative branch (the Council). Annually, the Council considers and adopts a budget. This establishes or appropriates the amount of money which may be spent in the administration of the City for the calendar year. It is the duty of the Mayor not to overspend the budget established by the Council. Likewise, it is the duty of the Council to provide proper funding for the City so that it may provide the services demanded by the citizenry. Once a budget is established (funds are appropriated), the Mayor cannot spend more than is appropriated, absent a find by the Common Council that there is a need for an additional appropriation.
         Q. What state governmental agencies review these matters?
         A. After the City Council passes the budget, it then goes before the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (IDLGF) for review. That department determines if the budget passed should be approved or reduced in order to conform with State controls.
         In the case of utilities, rate ordinances for the water department are reviewed by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Sewer rates are considered services and not a commodity and thus, those rates are not reviewed by a State agency.
         Q. Why would the City need interim financing to get through the year?
         A. Property tax revenues make up the largest portion of monies in the general fund. These funds are collected by the Henry County Treasurer who then issues the City their portion. Spring collection over the past few years has been delayed due to legislation on the State level and State legislation has limited the amount of revenue a city may “carry over” to the beginning of a new year. Both of these factors have made it necessary for cities to obtain interim financing until these revenues are received. The City administration cannot spend more money than is budgeted (appropriated) without approval of the City Council. Any funds obtained must be repaid prior to December 31st of the year they are obtained.
         Q. How do large capital items like a road project or a new swimming pool get funded?
         A. There are three (3) principal ways to fund major financial projects. As you know, there are grant sources available for some projects. The City of New Castle is pursuing grants for a wide range of projects. Unfortunately, grants almost always require a local match and very seldom provide sufficient revenues to complete the project. In such cases, the City must borrow sufficient funds to complete the project. This is done through long-term or bond indebtedness. A bond ordinance must be approved by the City Council. The bonds are then repaid by additional tax moneys or higher utility rates. If the bond is to be paid through the general fund by increasing the property tax levy, the project, after approval by the City Council, must also be approved by the Department of Local Government Finance. If that department determines the project to be needed and reasonable, the City may, through its ability to tax property, increase its property tax rates in accordance with its bond ordinance.
         In the case of utilities, the money needed to repay the bonds is added into the utility rate. Once again, in the case of water rates, those must be approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
         These major capital improvement projects funded by tax dollars should not be confused with the budget process. These stand alone and should be considered on their merits, if and when they arise.
         Q. What is a utility rate study?
         A. Because a utility is a business and should be run as such, it is important that their operations be reviewed by independent professional auditors or accountants. These accountants look at the operation of the utilities and determine if their rates are sufficient. These rate studies are required by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission when it considers proposed rates for the utilities.
         (information provided in this section includes excerpts from a legal memorandum and fact sheet provided by David L. Copenhaver, City Attorney in 2005)

2. I hope members of the IURC’s personal finances are heavily scrutinized. The Vectren, Vectren fuels relationship seems downright criminal. Makes you wonder who is getting kickbacks.

3. Don’t forget – Weaver has a city council position that gets elected with “win place or show” votes.
   He may have received a lot of votes – but how many of them were “second” or “third” choice votes? Sometimes those “third” votes are “hold your nose and press the button” votes because the other candidates stink so badly.

   Isn’t it AGAINST THE LAW for the mayor to order materials before city council votes for them?

4. Nothing like a bit of political theater for the masses. Obviously there were members of the city council at that meeting who knew the speed humps had been ordered and delivered at the same time they were putting on a show of what passes for representative government here in Evansville.

   If by some chance no one on the city council knew about the order, then we still have a major communication problem between the administration and the council.

5. Overheard Mayor McClintock telling Rumplebeancounter that the State Board is picking on them. Poor baby. They should be thankful that they are bringing in Airhead this year instead of their big guns. Probably will get away with a lot more!

6. Is it just a coincidence that at the same time that Councilman Adams started his verbal campaign for speed humps that this order was put in? Looks like the council members who took up the banner for these speed humps and by the way old Doc’s neighbors will be the first to apply for them were played by Adam’s. Is this the same councilman who was so outraged that the Historic District was looking for funding support from the city for $12,500.00 street lights? These people were having fund raisers to offset some of the costs and were not just asking for a hand out. I guess if one of these street lights were going in front of Councilman Adam’s house or one of his neighbors then it would have been a good thing. Can you say self serving snake oil salesman?

7. Not even going to vote between Weaver and Williams.. Sorry!

   • +2

   • +3

     • +4

       • +5

   • Still NO ONE to choose between.

   • Why not put Commissioner Melcher and Councilman Lindsy in the poll for Mayor?

     • Because if Lindsey runs for mayor and wins that opens the door up for D. Mosby and Watts to take back the 6th Ward seat. And, that is the LAST thing on earth this area needs.

       • There are a few other people who would run in Ward 6, but choose not to run against a good man like Al.

8. The reason we have a city council is so that Missy Mosby can remain employed

9. To stop this absolute nonsense of the City Administration ordering things without City Council approval–except in the case of real emergencies– the City Council should not pay bills that were not approved by the City Council prior to the commitment.
   Standup City Council or resign.

   • The City Coucil should launch an investigation into who is responsible for placing the order, then fire that person, OR the City Council should RESIGN.

10. I thought a candidate for the Mayor of Evansville had to be a resident of Evansville. Williams lives outside of the city. The biggest reason Williams was the poster boy for consolidation was so he could be the “Metro Mayor”. Since that got the smack down last fall, Willams would have to buy a house in the city to be eligible. Maybe Weaver can show him some properties.

    • Williams already owns property/house in the city on the same block as the FOP lodge downtown.

      JMHO

      • I had heard that was no longer the case. But if he does own city and a house outside of the city, where does he lay his head at night? Which property does he claim a homestead tax credit on? Surely this city is tired of the Snegal actions so often mentioned on this site.

    • Or he could do what Al Lindsey supposedly has done, which is rent a crappy 1br apartment on the cheap and not stay there. There are ways around anything.

      • Looks like another Lindsey stalker. What is your occupation when you’re not following Lindsey around? So sad.

        • Far from a Lindsey stalker, pal.

11. Removed by editor for tasteless content

12. Everyone knows what it means to “live in the City”. It means your home where where you sleep on a regular basis the majority of the time. Any elected official or candidate who plots to get around this requirement is a liar/cheat and should not be serving or running for an office that has that type of requirement.

13. Just a poll in the cco doesn’t mean your going
    To win the mayor race

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