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Between the TDD, TIF, Sewer Bond and Road construction I was told our city will be $100,000,000 more in debt at the end of this year than 18 months before. DO WE REALLY WANT THAT? That's sounds more like Washington D.C. NOT POPLAR BLUFF! Over the last few years I've become more and more aware of the wasteful spending of Municipal Utilities. Just ask someone in the know one of these questions: How much money does the City LOSE from the Plum Point Energy Plant in Arkansas? How much money do we LOSE by having our own electric generator that doesn't operate but a few times a year?

According to Bill Bach, Municipal Utilities General Manager, the average utility bill will be increased from $16.34 to $28.44 if the City of Poplar Bluff votes YES to the Sewer Bond this November. That is a 75% (SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT!!!) increase every month!!!! That's $2900 each over the term of the bond! And why do we need these sewer improvements?

It's not that I expected anything different, but I certainly went to the MU Advisory Board meeting on Monday with a glimmer of hope that these five businessmen of our community on that board would challenge the city employees or ask them to prove their statements.

SEMO.net's Dispute Hearing was held as scheduled with the Municipal Utilities Advisory Board. In attendance for the Advisory Board Dispute Hearing was Councilman Matthews, Chairman Bob Christian, Tucker Davis, and Richard Landers. Charles Moffit was on vacation. City Manager Bagby did not attend. I was allowed to make my presentation about the multiple accounting errors I believe Mr. Bach made two years ago in setting the rates for Open Access and claiming that my company was subsidized. The board was attentive and engaged during the entire meeting and I appreciated the opportunity to share my dispute officially/publicly.

We were notified that the dispute hearing would be held in the television studio at the Municipal Utilities building on 3000 N Westwood at 2pm on Monday, July 2. They have brought in plenty of seating for those who wish to attend the hearing. The 5-person Advisory Board making the decision consists of Councilman Lloyd Matthews, Tucker Davis, Bob Christian, Richard Landers, and Charles Moffit.