MAHONING COUNTY Commissioners to enforce meter-reading accuracy

All county departments will be required to comply with the new policy.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County commissioners say they will no longer pay estimated gas and electric bills. They will pay only bills that are based on an actual meter-reading.
Commissioners passed a resolution to that effect this week and will send it to the utility companies, whose compliance will be voluntary.
"The commissioners can't force the utility companies to come out and read the meters every month," said Prosecutor Paul Gains.
He suggested that commissioners also send a copy of the resolution to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
County Administrator Gary Kubic said utility companies usually read meters every other month and base bills during the odd months on estimated charges. He said estimated bills often result in the county's being overcharged.
When that happens, utility companies don't correct the problem until the next actual reading. Then, they credit the county's account for the excess amount rather than refunding the county, Kubic said. That means the companies keep the money in their accounts, where it can generate interest for them.
"You have to understand that these are large payments compared to what a residential user would see," Kubic said. "For some of our facilities you could get a $6,000 credit."
'Actual services'
He said that's money that could be in the county coffers going toward other expenses.
"With estimated bills, you are spending tax dollars for a product or service that was not used," Kubic said. "We think it's a better policy to have our tax dollars pay for actual services."
All county departments will be required to comply with the new policy, and the county's purchasing manual will be updated to include the ban on estimated bills.
Austintown resident John Paulette has asked commissioners for months to pass such a resolution. Paulette, who regularly attends commissioner meetings, has long complained about estimated utility bills, which he says unfairly results in customers' being overcharged.
bjackson@vindy.com