TF council proposes new utility fees

Mayor Mark Sheets delivered an update on the Thorne Creek fire to the Thompson Falls City Council at their Monday meeting this week. According to Sheets everything has gone well so far, with firefighters having basically contained the fire from Graves Creek to Weber Gulch. They are currently setting up holding operations up Ashley Creek around the city’s water line. Currently, helicopters are dumping water constantly to hold the fire on the west side to avoid what the mayor referred to as a fuel change were it to reach Goat Creek on the east side. The National Guard is mopping up to free fire crews moving into the Ashley Creek area above town. Sheets explained that fortunately, so far, the fire has been stopping in the alpine areas on peaks and ridges. The fire teams hope they can keep some control, stopping the fire before it spills over into the Thompson River area.

The council discussed raising hookup fees for city water and sewer services. The water and sewer committee looked at several towns and cities of comparable size and elected to raise the sewer and water hookup fees to $2,000 each. It was previously $350 for both. According to Sheets, this change will not affect current residents and would bring the hookup fee in line with that of Plains. Sheets explained that the fee change is still reasonable compared to other cities. They also plan to eliminate permanent shut-offs because, as the mayor explained, there is debt on the system and shutting off a lot would eliminate payments that could go into paying that debt off. Sheets gave the example of those who may not live on a lot year-round and utilize their lot as a vacation space. These people would take up the space that another full-time resident with a house could be taking up and would not be contributing to the system to pay it off. Sheets said this will take the pressure off year-round residents who are currently paying onto that debt. The city plans to hold a public hearing on the proposed increase. That public hearing is tentatively set for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 23.

Another topic at the meeting was the approval of Resolution 798, which would cancel the general election if no write-in candidates enter before the cutoff date. So far, there have been no write-in candidates for the city mayor and council elections to be held later this year.

Roy Scott was approved as a full-time officer with the Thompson Falls Police Department. He just finished his probationary period, and council members said they were joyous to keep him on. “So many people make comments about all the good things he does around town and the fantastic job he is doing,” said council member Raoul Ribeiro.” He is definitely someone we want to keep on our side.” The mayor said they will be glad to have Scott back again, as he worked for the city as an officer several years ago.