Commission should explain unpaid stormwater fees

Editor:

This letter adds some information that was not provided in the Jan. 23 guest column by Columbia County Commission Chairman Barry Fleming.

Some Stormwater Utility funds have been collected; however, there are still 3,084 accounts delinquent that total $94,380. Of that, the Board of Education of Columbia County now owes $35,206.78.

Last October, the number of delinquent accounts stood at 3,091. The number of accounts now remain fairly steady but the amount owed continues to rise. There still has been no effort to collect the unpaid balance. Why? Can someone in the media get a reasonable response from Fleming on why there is no collection effort?

I believe that this problem lies wholly at the commissioners feet.

On the positive side, all of the Columbia County employees I have dealt with regarding this and other matters have been helpful, friendly and very professional. County contractor Joe Howell was hired to clean out and redo the stormwater runoff ditch on the south side of my property. He did an outstanding job and performed every aspect of the task in a professional manner. My thanks to Mr. Howell and his staff.

When are the commissioners going to admit that they goofed and take some corrective action that will negate the costs involved with litigation?

Bob Cipperly

Evans