Dear editor,
I read with great interest Tracy Keagles opinion piece in last Saturdays Register concerning Iolas policy in handling late utility bills.
As I read this, several questions come to mind. The first is of the $500,000 owed to Iola that has not been paid. How long did it take to accumulate?
Second, how much of this money is actual utilities not paid for and how much of it is unpaid fines?
Thirdly, concerning the small article tucked away on page 2 of the Jan. 7 Register reminding readers of the Community Utility Relief Board or CURB, I wonder how many people noticed it?
I would, with some caution, say this would not raise much utility help money. A notional best case of 100 customers each month donating 99 cents would, over a year, raise $1,188. Does this amount of money match the magnitude of the problem? How much money is presently in the Iola Area Ministerial Association account? If memory serves me, wasnt this CURB info printed on the utility bills at one time?
I suggest that the city needs to do a better job of publicizing this program. I would be willing to give more if asked. It would continue to be voluntary.
Another side of this subject is the lack of weather proofing in many of the old homes of Iola thus running up very high utility bills that cannot be paid.
Using my home, which is 1,640 square feet and weatherproofed, my average utility bill for year 2019 was $179.82. Are there programs to tighten up some of these leaky homes to get their electric and natural gas bills down? Is this being done?
It might also help to dollar cost average the bill leveling out those high heating and cooling months to a lower bill year round. I think the City of Iola could show a little more compassion and willingness to help the poorer citizens rather than continue to hit them with late fees they probably cannot pay.
Paul L. Zirjacks,
Iola, Kan.
