ST. MARKS

FACING FINANCIAL SHORTFALL, CITY TO STOP FIXING GRINDER PUMPS

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN Editor

The St. Marks City Commission is facing a $94,000 shortfall because of utility expenses, and warned residents at a meeting last week that if they don’t take action to stem the losses, it could mean the end of the city.
As part of that, city commissioners proposed ending the city’s “maintenance, repair and replacement of grinder pumps.” An ordinance that is to be advertised and brought back before the city commission for two public hearings.
The city commission also voted to retain City Manager Zoe Mansfield, albeit with a reduction in pay reflected in reducing her and other city staff to a four-day work week for a savings of $18,000.
City Attorney Ron Mowrey announced he intends to retire at the end of June and the city will need to find a new attorney. The city commission voted to retain Mowrey and Mansfield in their positions on a month-to-month basis. (Mansfield also announced her intention to retire next year, in September 2024.)
City commissioners indicated there had been a meeting with County Administrator David Edwards to look at the county taking over the city’s sewer service.
As City Commissioner Dan Albers noted, St. Marks has five lift stations, one of which has been upgraded at a cost of $15,000. The other four needed work as well.
Mansfield added that, if the county did take over sewer service in the city, St. Marks could close down the two sewer plants it operates and save a considerable expense there.
The proposed change with the grinder pumps, Albers noted the city has spent $31,200 this year on repairs. “We gotta do something,” he said.
Citizen Billy Bishop suggested adding a grinder pump fee of, say, $25 per month for each account. Bishop said it was unfair that the expense for the pumps should fall completely on some citizens and not others.
Bishop claimed that, when the sewer system was being installed, half of the city residents were provided a gravity-fed system, but grant money ran out leaving the other half of the city with grinder pumps to essentially move the effluent.
The idea of an additional charge to water bills was supported by businessman Stan West.
City Clerk Ethel Jefferson noted that a $25 fee would put the minimum monthly water charge over $100 for residents. They currently pay $87.
Citizen Ryder Rudd said the problem is that the city’s utilities are being underwritten by general revenues, which is unsustainable.
Albers added that in 2018, after Hurricane Michael, the city paid $33,000 for grinder pump repairs. “We’re gonna go under if we keep this up.”
City Commissioner Steve Remke noted that the City of Steinhatchee is the only other government in the Panhandle that pays for grinder pumps for residents. He also suggested the city could be on the line for insurance problems if it were discovered that the city employees are going on to private land to do repairs.
“Utilities have to pay for themselves,” Remke added later.
City Commissioners agreed to change the current ordinance to make every homeowner responsible for their grinder pump – it passed unanimously.
In other matters:
• Shadrach Hines of St. Marks Waterfronts reported that the group is planning a Fourth of July celebration including fireworks.
Because of the city’s financial condition, Mayor Sheddan said he didn’t think it was responsible for the city to contribute to that.
The group has made one payment but needs another $3,125 in June for fireworks.
• Hines said the group is planning for a St. Marks Brewfest to be held in October.
• Amy Sheddan and Raney Richardson announced plans for a community farmers market to be held the fourth Saturday. The first one is set for May 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.