Audit Proposal from Dippel Dippel Jackson & Puglise

To read the audit proposal from Dippel Dippel Jackson & Puglise
CLICK HERE

According to Dippel and Dippel, NO Audit Work will be done unless, and until a contract has been signed. None as so far as of April 1st 2010. Sounds like another CROCK to me.

Senator Fraser Austin American Statesman Jan 22, 2010

Senator Fraser has an office in Belton call 254 939 3562

Energy Plan comes to City Council as Legislature Plans Review

By Marty Toohey AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Published: 10:23 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, 2010

The City Council will hear a proposal next week to begin weaning Austin off coal and onto greener sources of energy, restarting a two-year civic debate amid signs that any decision Austin leaders make will be closely scrutinized by state lawmakers.

The "Generation and CO2 plan" will not get a final vote for weeks, possibly months, council members say. But Mayor Lee Leffingwell's office is planning a town-hall-style public forum in late February, with a final vote perhaps a month later.

The plan, from Austin Energy, calls for the city to replace some of the electricity generated by a coal plant in Fayette County with power from sources that produce less pollution. The sources would be mostly wind, but also some solar and wood waste. Austin would end up increasing its portfolio of renewable energy from 11 percent now to 30 percent by 2020. Austin Energy is also planning to invest heavily in measures that would allow the city to use its electricity more efficiently.

Council members reached Friday were generally supportive of the plan, but some said they are trying to balance factors such as costs, environmental obligations and the possibility of intervention by the Texas Legislature.

The proposal follows nearly two years of public discussions about where Austin should get its electricity in the future — and to what degree Austin should attempt to address global warming, which many scientists say is exacerbated by large-scale coal burning

The proposal has passed through several advisory boards and commissions, which backed the plan. The sometimes-intense public discussions faded to a whisper over the holidays.

But in a measure of how sensitive the topic is, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst directed the Senate's Business and Commerce Committee this month to begin examining the cost and sources of electricity generated by city-owned utilities, including Austin Energy. The directive included the possibility of setting a "justifiable" cost for electricity and requiring a vote of a utility's customers to go beyond it. Such directives are generally used to shape legislation in upcoming sessions. The next session will be in 2011.

State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, the commerce committee chairman, said the directive came because although much of Texas' electric market was deregulated in the late 1990s, the Legislature has done little to examine how well the city-owned utilities that were allowed to maintain their monopolies are serving their constituents.

By contrast, he said, the Legislature in recent sessions has looked into the operations of privately owned utilities, as well as cooperatives such as the Pedernales Electric Cooperative. "It's my intent to look at the municipal system as a whole," including such cities as San Antonio and College Station, Fraser said. "It's really nothing more than a continuation of what we've been looking at."

Roger Duncan, general manager of Austin Energy, has said that the energy-generation proposal would raise bills and that the utility could have suggested cheaper alternatives. But doing so, he said, would either sacrifice some environmental benefits or expose the system to blackout risks.

Austin Energy calculated the plan would raise bills about 22 percent over the next decade, although Duncan said it's difficult to predict how much the cost of coal and other fossil fuels will rise or what innovations will happen with renewable energy. The average residential electricity bill in Austin is now about $98 a month.

Environmental activists have been pushing city officials to adopt the plan, saying the city should consider adding even more renewable energy and cutting Austin's ties with the Fayette coal plant entirely.

A coalition of large businesses, hospitals and the Catholic diocese counter that Austin Energy should not be pursuing that much renewable energy when it is already planning to raise rates in the coming years for other reasons, including higher construction and maintenance costs. They say the City Council should delay a vote until the city knows more about what its new rates will be and whether the federal government will begin taxing or limiting the use of coal.

Despite the disagreement, two city advisory commissions and a specially appointed task force recommended adopting Austin Energy's proposal with minor variations. Opinions varied widely enough, however, that the nine-member task force wound up issuing three minority reports.

Council Member Bill Spelman said he is comfortable with Austin Energy's proposal and plans to vote for it.

"It answers the major questions and strikes the right balance of price, carbon reduction and safety" in case coal or natural-gas prices skyrocket, Spelman said. "But realistically, most of the measures this calls for won't happen for at least three years, so I'm in no hurry to adopt it."

Council Member Randi Shade said she still has questions and couldn't say when she'd be ready to vote. Council Member Sheryl Cole said the same.

Mark Nathan, Leffingwell's chief of staff, said the mayor is planning a forum in late February so a panel of experts can answer council members' questions. Nathan said the forum will give the public another opportunity to understand the proposal before a final vote on it. City leaders have not decided whether the forum will be open to public comment.

"It's very complex," Nathan said. "This is a concept of interest to a lot of people ... and we want to take a moment to ensure everyone knows what it is and what it means."

mtoohey@statesman.com; 445-3673

League of United Latin American Citizens Bartlett, Texas

A Chapter of LULAC League of United Latin American Citizens has recently formed in Bartlett, Texas
President is Wally Capetillo 254 527 4682
Vice President is Connie Gonzales 654 1517
Chaplain Robert Solorio 254 527 3200
Pictures and more Information to come.

Paragraph From Bartlett Tribune August 27 2008

I have included this paragraph just to show ONE of the many Financial Irregularities that have gone on at the City of Bartlett. It's authenticity can be verified by calling the Tribune Progress at 254 527 4424. MORE TO COME

By Gayle Bielss

The council discussed the action to be taken regarding the outstanding amount for electricity owed to the city by Will O'Bell Nursing Home.

City secretary Diane Evans discovered a bookkeeping error on the city's part that dates back to May 2006 through November 2007. For some reason, former city secretary Andrew Solis had noted that he had changed the multiplier for Will O'Bell, which dropped their utility bills by half.

Mrs. Evans researched the matter and sent Will O'Bill an adjusted statement, saying they owed over $54,000. Will O'Bell had paid the amount stated on their utility bills during this period. It was noted that a similar circumstance had happed at Bartlett State Jail and they had paid the entire amount (water) when notified. (This statement in Italics is not part of the Tribune Article but from Lana Hill Web Misstress-"My understanding was the Jail had been over billed $40,000 and the City was the one that had to refund money to them?")

Councilman Reuben Lindemann, who also serves as treasurer of the board of trustees for Will O'Bell, stated that there had been multiple problems with the nursing home's utility bill. Ms. Evans stated that there was no statute of limitations on collecting for services rendered.

Councilman Bill Terrell told Lindemann that he needed to abstain from any voting on the matter. The WOB board will meet Thursday morning. Councilman Dustin Zanders stated that the letter from Will O'Bell's attorney needed to be refered to Bartlett's city attorney and that Mayor White needed to attend the board meeting to be the ears for the city.

Jim Pease of Bartlett Speaking Out About His Utilities Being Disconnected

Jim Pease is runing for Bartlett City Council.

Call Jim with your ideas, and concerns at 254 527 3885

From Bartlett Electric Cut Offs

From Bartlett Electric Cut Offs

From Bartlett Electric Cut Offs

Below Tribune Progess Article Feb 3, 2010--They quote the PUC, but Bartlett is not under PUC control since they are a Municipal Electric.

Bartlett Utility Customers Disconnected, PUC Policy Explained

By Debbie McKeon

The City of Bartlett mailed out 71 disconnect notices to utility customers on January 26, informing them that if their bills remained unpaid or they failed to make payment arrangements, their utilities would be disconnected as of January 29.

A total of eight disconnects took place last Friday. Most customers paid their bills, and a total of 20 customers made the necessary payment arrangements with the City of Bartlett. As of Monday at noon, seven customers still remained disconnected.

The lowest amount owed to the city was $133.50, and the most owed was $605.46.

According to Mattie Ingram, city administrator, utility payments are due on the 15th of each month, and customers have until the 25th to pay or to make needed arrangements. On the 26th, yellow tags are placed on the doorknobs of those who have not paid.

Back in 2006, the City of Bartlett voted that there would be no more arrangements accepted from customers and that all payments were due by the 25th or they would receive notices and be disconnected. But, according to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), if you are late in payment and due for disconnection, “your retail electric provider (REP) may offer you a short-term payment arrangement that allows you to pay your bill after your due date, but before your next bill is due. In addition, you may qualify for a ‘deferred payment plan.’ A deferred payment plan allows a customer to pay an outstanding bill in installments beyond the due date of the next bill. The REP may require an initial payment to initiate the agreement. Your REP must offer you a deferred payment plan unless you have received more than two termination/disconnection notices during the past 12 months or you have been their customer for less than three months and do not have sufficient credit or payment history with another REP. All REPs must offer customers deferred payment plans for bills that are due during an extreme weather emergency and to customers who have been under-billed in the amount of $50.00 or more. A deferred payment plan may include a 5% penalty for late payment.”

If you do not fulfill the terms of the payment arrangement deferred payment plan, or the level or average payment plan, your REP may disconnect your service.

If a customer contacts the REP and indicates an inability to pay, the REP must inform the customer of all applicable payment options and payment assistance programs that are offered by or available from the REP. An electric customer who receives food stamps, Medicaid, TANF or SSI from the TDHS or whose household income is not more than 125% of the federal poverty guidelines may qualify for energy assistance from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).

The circumstances in which a REP may disconnect utilities include: failure to pay a bill owed to the REP or to make a deferred payment arrangement by the date of disconnection; failure to comply with the terms of a deferred payment arrangement or other payment agreement made with the REP; using service in a manner that interferes with the service of others or the operation of nonstandard equipment; failure to pay a deposit required by the REP; or failure of a guarantor to pay the amount guaranteed when the REP has a written agreement, signed by the guarantor, which allows for disconnection of the guarantor's service.

Prior to disconnecting your service, your REP must provide you with a written Disconnection Notice. This notice must be mailed to you separately (or hand-delivered) no earlier than the first day after the date your bill is due. The disconnection date must be 10 days from the date the notice is issued and may not fall on a holiday or weekend (or the day preceding) unless the REP's personnel are available to take payments and service can be reconnected.

Your REP may not authorize disconnection of your electric service for any of the following reasons: failure to pay for electric service by a previous occupant of the premise if that occupant is not of the same household; failure to pay any charge unrelated to electric service; failure to pay a different type or class of electric service not included on the account's bill when service was initiated; failure to pay under-billed charges that occurred for more than 6 months (except theft of service); failure to pay any disputed charges until your REP or the PUC determines the accuracy of the charges and you have been notified of this determination; or failure to pay an estimated bill unless the estimated bill is part of a pre-approved meter-reading program or in the event the LDC is unable to read the meter due to circumstances beyond its control.

If you need assistance with your bill, the City of Bartlett must provide you with a list of possible locations to assist you, including Help Center in Temple, the Caring Place in Georgetown, the WBC in Temple, or St. Paul’s Church in Temple. There may also be other assistance organizations which may be able to help you with the financial problem you are facing. If you obtain the promise of assistance from them, you may bring in a voucher and the City of Bartlett will not disconnect your services pending their receipt of the money.

Additionally, your REP may not authorize disconnection of your electric service: if the REP receives notification by the final due date stated on the disconnection notice that an energy assistance provider will be forwarding sufficient payment on your account, and you have paid or made payment arrangements to pay any outstanding debt not covered by the energy assistance provider's payment; for non-payment during an extreme weather emergency, and upon request, the REP must offer you a deferred payment plan for bills due during the emergency; or for non-payment if you inform the REP, prior to the disconnection date stated on the notice, that you or another resident on the premises has a critical medical need for electric service. However, to obtain this exemption, you must enter into a deferred payment plan with your REP and have the ill-person's attending physician contact the REP and submit a written statement attesting to the necessity of electric service to support life. This exemption from disconnection due to illness or disability shall be in effect for 63 days and may be applied for again after the 63 days has expired and the deferred payment plan has been fulfilled.

If you are notified that you are subject to disconnection of your electric service, you may seek to obtain services from another REP or the POLR (provider of last support). You have the option to request service from the POLR, which offers a standard retail service package. Information about the POLR and other REPs can be obtained from the PUC or the POLR.

Your REP may offer special services for hearing-impaired customers and programs for customers with physical disabilities. If you have a physical disability or require special assistance regarding your electric account, please contact your REP to inquire about the process to become qualified for any of these special services.

If an interruption or suspension of electric service will create a dangerous or life-threatening condition, you may qualify as a "critical care residential customer." Upon your request, your REP will provide to you a standardized Critical Care Eligibility Determination Form, which you must complete and return to your REP. The critical care request is evaluated and approved by the LDC (Local Distribution Company).

If you have questions about the legality of disconnections or any other questions considering the laws of the PUC, you may contact them at Customer Protection Division, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, TX 78711-3326; or by calling them at 512) 936-7120 or toll-free at 1-888-782-8477. You may fax them at (512) 936-7003; find them on the web at www.puc.state.tx.us; or email them at customer@puc.state.tx.us.

Debbie McKeon

Tribune-Progress 254 527 4424

My Daughter Jana Lynn Hill inPhiladelphia by the Liberty Bell

STATS ABOUT THE LIBERTY BELL

Clips of Bartlett City Council Meeting Jan 19, 2010

Clips of Bartlett Council Meeting Jan 19, 2010. Turn Up Your Volume There are Bartlett State Jail Inmates saying Bartlett Water made them sick.

BARTLETT SCHEDULES 1ST AUDIT IN YEARSfrom the Temple Daily Telegram

Link to KCEN TV Article on Bartlett Water Outage
Link to AUSTIN FOX 7 on Bartlett Water Shortage
Chad Ahlgren of TCEQ Investigates Bartlett Water Operator & Quality
CLICK HERE TO READ

Bartlett Schedules 1st Audit in Years

by Paul A. Romer

The click able links below have been added by web miss tress Lana Hill and are not part of the original Telegram article

Emails from previous Bartlett Auditor Preston Singleton

Published: January 1, 2010
BARTLETT - Nearly four years after former Bartlett mayor Bobby Hill was sentenced to 20 days in jail for improperly spending city funds, the city is still struggling to overcome financial issues.

The city has not been audited in four years because its financial records were in such disarray it would take an auditor days or weeks to gather the information necessary to conduct one, current Mayor Arthur J. White said.
DOCUMENTS THAT SHOW WE PAID CPA BARBARA SAGE $18,000 iN 2009 TO DO BARTLETT CITY BOOKS
In an open letter published in late October, White pledged to rectify the situation and have audits conducted again soon beginning with the most recent fiscal year and working backwards to other years.

Mattie Ingram, a Bartlett city official said the books are now organized enough for an audit. She said she called a firm this week to schedule one.

In addition the mayor said a tax issue with the Internal Revenue Service has been cleared up.

Ingram said that the issue dated back to 2005 when the City withheld several quarters of payroll taxes from the federal government that it had collected from employees.

Repeated queries by the IRS were ignored by the city until June when an IRS agent visited Bartlett on a "compliance check."

In July, the Bartlet City Council fired the city secretary, Diane Evans, Ingram has been working int he city since July in an interim capacity.

During Evans tenure, the city ignored IRS letters and accrued interest penalties Ingram said.

The Telegram was not able to confirm how much back taxes the city owed but the penalty amassed was about $38,000, according to a letter from the mayor.

White said that within the past two months the city paid its overdue taxes and the IRS had "forgiven" the penalties.

In his letter, White said income and expenditure information was unavailable for the city and many records are missing.

"Last year's budget was not maintained whatsoever," White wrote.

In his letter White wrote that residents have consistently told him the city secretary job was too much for one employee and that another position needed to be created.

He indicated this was something he agreed with but wrote that each time he approached Evans about the subject she "strongly rejected" it.

"Looking at the state of the files and financial records of the city (unpaid payroll taxes, undocumented financial transaction, no maintained filing system). it does not make sense to me that she would reject help," he wrote.

One resident say the city secretary position has been a revolving door over the past several years. The newest secretary is Jana Henderson, former Bell County Elections clerk. She was hired about a month ago.

In December 2005, Kathy Jones, then city secretary, and Denise Baker, city clerk, were fired by the City Council. At the time, interim mayor Tommy Hill, the brother of Bobby Hill, said that Jones was let go for lack of confidences; Baker for withholding information in connection with a credit card incident.

In January 2006, a judge ruled Hill abused his powers of office by writing personal checks for cash to the city and ordering the secretary to not deposit them until he gave word, which he never did. In addition, he used city fund to pay for his personal utility bill.