Angry Group of residents addressed the Sullivan City Council Tuesday evening, April 6, discussing their concerns over electric usage and rates in the City of Sullivan. Pictured is a partial view of the meeting crowd Tuesday.

By James B. Bartle
The Sullivan City Council got more than an earful during their regular meeting on Tuesday night, Apr. 6, as a more than capacity crowd of well over 60 people packed the City Hall council chambers to voice their concerns and often outrage of their electric bills.
The meeting Tuesday night resulted in a second meeting held at the Sullivan Community Center where the council again heard from more than 60 residents and then approved some temporary relief while they seek to determine if the city electric system meters and other items are taking accurate readings.
On Tuesday night, the council had received requests from seven different speakers to address the council; however, a number of individuals chose to speak aloud and voice their outrage at aldermen over electric bills that spiked to $500-$700 for the months of January and February.
Darlene Watson, Fig St. Condos, addressed the council stating that there are seven vacant condos in her complex at this time and she felt this was due to the economy and the high utility bills. Watson stated that she doesn’t understand how it’s even possible for a 900 sq. ft. room to have over a $250 electric bill.
One unidentified resident stated that she had a $400 electric bill and heated with gas heat, and couldn’t believe this was possible.
Alderman Paul McCulloch stated that he and the entire community were feeling the high utility bills.
“We’re not happy about this,” said McCulloch. “The city has absorbed some 20 percent in recent increases in electric instead of passing it on to residents. Had we not done that, the bills would have been $140 more on a $700 electric bill.
Some residents stated that Sullivan has an electric rate that is 43 percent higher than Ameren UE, and why doesn’t the city use Ameren or sell to Ameren. Residents also spoke out about spending the reserve monies to pay down city debt.
Mayor Hardy commented that this was a possibility, but the water and sewer rates would drop around $15, and was that justified to spend the city reserves.
One resident commented that they needed electric relief today, not tomorrow, not next week, but today.
Jessica Wegescheide, who was featured with her story in the Independent News Apr. 7 edition, addressed the council over her first two bills in the city, which were $502 and $762, and that in February, her home on South Mansion was reported to have used 7,727 kilowatt hours.
“This is outlandish, ridiculous,” said Wegescheide.
Wegescheide then highlighted that, according to statistics, the average home in Missouri uses 1,098 kWh. How did she use 7,727?
Wegescheide stated that her electric meter was checked and was reportedly running slow. She stated that she felt the city should sell to Ameren UE.
Wegescheide requested the city compile a list of homes that used over 5,000 to 7,000 kWh and determine what is going on with the system.
“It’s not just me that’s having an issue, it’s everyone,” said Wegescheide.
Mayor Hardy stated that he and Wegescheide have been discussing her situation and he stated that his home used over 6,500 kWh and he had a hard time believing she used more electric than his household.
The council had some discussion on the electric digital meters versus the old meters. The city has been using the digital meters since 2005.
Wanda Mayberry, Division St., spoke out against the council, stating that there is no way she is using $427.35 in electric.
“We sit in the dark, no lights on. Two people in the home. We do laundry once a week. What are poor people supposed to do?” asked Mayberry. “We have one or two TVs on. Whose electric bill am I paying for - Judy’s bill, referencing collector Judy McPherson? I’m very upset over this. I had a heart attack in the doctor’s office and Dr. Eljaiek asked me why I was so upset and that I needed to calm down.”
Amy Thurmond presented a tearful plea to the council, explaining her situation with the high electric bills of over $500 and the effects it is having on her family.
Liz Sabatino of the Meramec Community Mission also pleaded for residents’ concerns. She didn’t understand the high electric rates and looked for the council to step in and do something to find out what was going on. She also provided the names of several organizations to help those residents in need, but explained that funds are running low.
Jim Turntine also expressed concern over the electric issues and stated he had confidence in the council that they would find out what was going on. He also reiterated the points with the council that they should not hire an economic developer and use the reserve funds to pay down the city’s debt on wastewater. Turntine also stated that he would be willing to serve and help the city’s ad hoc utility committee in whatever way he could to help the city.
The council wrapped up the Tuesday meeting by stating that they would hold a special meeting on Thursday night for residents to voice additional concerns and put an ordinance on the agenda to help with extending service deadlines.
The council then opened again for session on Thursday night with a number of citizens commenting.
Chuck Trombley, Chuck’s Towing and Truck Wash, addressed the council over his $1,100 utility bills, stating that the rates were too high on all levels—water, sewer and electric. He stated that the city wanted him to annex his other location into the city limits and he stated that won’t happen with these rates. Had he known that these expenses were going to be so high with utility rates, he would have never opened his business at the new location.
Mayor Hardy stated that, at tonight’s meeting, the council was going to give some temporary relief while they research and study what is going on with the electric rates. He reported that he had received articles and television reports on issues with digital meters in California and Texas; however, in those cases, the meters were not the cause of the electric use.
Darla Barton, East Vine St., reported a problem with the water department, stating that there was a problem with a water meter falling in on her property. She commented that, when they came to fix the meter, the water department employee told her she was stupid and asked if she had any idea how much the meters cost. She stated that, when the meter fell in, she received a water bill for 28,000 gallons of usage and normally used 4,000 or less.
The council took extreme interest in this issue and spoke with Barton after the meeting. Barton did state the water department employee later apologized for his comments.
Cliff Thexton addressed the council and asked why Jim Turntine was told he could serve on the ad hoc committee and is now told that he can’t.
Mayor Hardy stated that he was welcome to attend the meetings and provide input, but the committee was comprised of city residents.
Thexton stated that he would like to serve on the ad hoc committee.
Janet Venson addressed the council, stating that she felt in her heart that there was something wrong with the meters and that this council would get something done.
The council heard from a number of speakers, all with the same concerns of being on a fixed income and the rates being out of control on their homes.
Aldermen Jarrett Dace, Paul McCulloch and Tom Leasor each made comments to those in attendance that they were going to get to the bottom of this issue. They have heard from the people loud and clear and want to determine what is going on and solve the problem the best they can.
Following this, the council did approve Ordinance 3392, which eliminates the late penalties for utilities billed on Apr. 1 and May 1. The penalties will resume with the June 1 billing. Thus, residents will have some extra time to pay the higher utility bills and give the city time to research what is going on with the electric system.
The council was adamant that they would stay on top of this issue and present findings as they become available.