TOMPKINSVILLE — Tompkinsville city commissioners are anxious to get to the bottom a problem involving a gas bill totaling more than $200,000.
City commissioners are hoping to meet in special session later this month with a representative of the Constellation Energy Group, the company from which the city of Tompkinsville buys natural gas wholesale, to have that person explain the city’s bill.
The city received a bill for $217,891.53 for the month of July.
“We’ve never had a bill that was even comparable to this one,” said Commissioner Scotty Turner.
Commissioner Jeff Harrison pointed out the bill for July was higher than what the city is billing Tompkinsville residents for their natural gas usage.
“This time of year we would have expected something less than a third of that,” he said.
This is the first year the city has purchased its gas wholesale from Constellation Energy Group. In 2007, the city purchased gas from Atmos Energy Group.
“They wanted to go with Constellation, so we changed and it’s been a mess ever since,” Mayor Beverly McClendon said.
The city’s July 2007 gas bill was $8,406.29, according to city records.
McClendon said the bill for July was so high because Constellation Energy Group failed to bill the city from December to July.
“I don’t understand why it happened,” McClendon said. “We are in a controversy. I don’t know why they didn’t bill us.”
McClendon and other commissioners are hoping the company representative can explain to situation.
If the city does owe the money, McClendon said the city will pay the bill.
“I’m not backing off from our debt, but there was something wrong to let this pile up on us,” he said.
In order to pay the bill, the commission voted Sept. 25 to cash in a $100,000 certificate of deposit. The CD was money the city had been saving to use to attract industry to the area.
Harrison hopes the issue is only temporary and he plans to urge other commissioners to vote to put the money back so it can be used for its original intended purpose.
“We need to replace that money as soon as possible,” Harrison said.
A tentative date of Oct. 14 has been set for the special session.
Local News
Board fired up over $200G natural gas bill
- Local News
-
-
UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: Fatal wreck on Burkesville Road
A Summer Shade man was identified as the driver in a fatal crash on Burkesville Road early Saturday morning.
-
Jail staff challenges Ober’s report
A long list of allegations made by a private investigator against the Barren County Detention Center is being challenged by a majority of the jail employees, who say they have not witnessed anything illicit.
-
BBBS honors volunteers Bell, Click
There’s no doubt about it. Tamara Click and Price Bell love spending time with their “little sister and little brother.”
-
Magistrates defend decision
Almost a month after a private investigator presented his summary report about the Barren County Detention Center and nearly five months since the initial vote for an investigation, the members of the Barren County Fiscal Court are standing by their decisions.
-
Park, students form partnership
Barren County Middle School and officials from Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP) began a partnership in 2009 through a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, according to a district news release.
-
Cemetery dedication planned Sunday
On Sunday, a dedication ceremony culminating efforts of several concerned citizens who restored the cemetery will take place at 2 p.m. at the D.F. West Cemetery on Ky. 70 near Hiseville.
-
No swimming allowed at lake for Memorial Day
Don’t visit Barren River Lake this Memorial Day weekend and expect to go swimming.
- 2:10 AFTERNOON UPDATE: Hart Co. man arrested for trafficking
- 9:03 a.m. Morning Update: Glasgow firefighters and Barren-Metcalfe EMS respond to wreck with injuries
-
Late Night Update: Investigation continues regarding injured teen
Very little is known about the circumstances surrounding a 15-year-old Barren County boy who was found seriously injured and lying in a ditch alongside his bicycle on Dripping Springs Road late Monday night.
- More Local News Headlines
-
UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: Fatal wreck on Burkesville Road
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
