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Winder finds major billing snafu; seeking to collect over $270,000

Posted by

Mike Buffington

in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

Wednesday, March 14. 2012

Comments (25)

Winder’s city government is attempting to recoup about $272,000 from the operators of eight large poultry operations that have been under-billed — some of them for years — for the natural gas they have used. City administrator Don Toms told the Barrow Journal on Monday that the large billing error would be discussed at the March 15 meeting of the Winder City Council’s Utility & Stormwater Committee.

“The billing department forgot to add the zeroes,” said Toms of how the errors happened.

Since the city government actually paid for the gas, it cannot simply ignore the customers’ usage.

“We’re going to have to bill them, unfortunately,” he said.

For the full story, see the March 14 issue of the Barrow Journal e-Edition or in print.

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#1 BIGDAWg on 03/14/12 at 08:50 AM [Reply]

The City of Winder has a monopoly on the natural gas business here anyway. It's ridiculous that I cannot switch from the overcharging city.

#1.1 Not always Greener on other side... on 03/14/12 at 10:38 AM [Reply]

You say that, You have no idea how much MORE you could be paying in other Jurisdictions, back when we had the Gas Spike in Natural Gas, the AJC or Clake Howard or someone did an invstigative comparison piece on all the different governments and third party suppliers, and Winder ranked above MANY, I had Friends & Family in other Metro Towns who paid MUCH more than here in Winder. MUCH.

#1.2 My Two Cents on 03/17/12 at 09:43 PM [Reply]

Monopoly on gas? Monopoly on water too! Apparently you DO NOT live inside the city limits because IF you did you would know they DO NOT charge city property taxes,,, the monies they make on the utilities offset the need to collect them. We owned a couple of houses in Statham and they DO collect city property taxes,,,Way too much in my opinion,,,I find the Winder arrangement much better,,,If you don't live inside the city and don't like our rates, try propane,,Note to Mayor and council: This is in no way a suggestion to start collecting property taxes,,County charges plenty already! ;)

#2 Anon on 03/14/12 at 08:57 AM [Reply]

Wow...must have been all those high city employee salaries that got in the way of the billing process. Head should roll if this is found to be a billing error by an employee.

If you want to stop the monopoly, contact your three state representatives and put pressure on them to change the law to allow you to select your gas provider like most other areas. Winder is not going to change anything or lower the price until they have competition.

#2.1 Do You Live in Winder? on 03/14/12 at 03:00 PM [Reply]

Question: 1. Are You are property owner or rent? 2. Are you a City Resident? --You want to have provider choices, so first answer those questions.

Water & Gas are utilities that the local governments sell that enable LOWER PROPERTY TAXES AND NO CITY TAXES. So, we can break up the so called villified monopoly that you complain about, and Your Taxes can make up the difference (including adding a city tax), so you can pay that way, but then you lose control, because now you control usage, later everyone pays the same. Next if you rent, your rent will go up as the owner needs to recoup his property tax increases (I am one & would need to). So before you jump into it, maybe do some research first. We can support our City & County one way or another.

#2.2 Give me a break!!! on 03/14/12 at 03:08 PM [Reply]

You want your cake and eat it too. You want "better" for Winder & Barrow County, but that seems to be just all talk, bottom line is alot of your are too selfish to support you local communty, only find the faults and complain. Do any of you voluteer, attend meetings, give anything back to you community?

Your are the same people who shop in Gwinnett & Clarke and wonder why those places keep getting more and more stores?? Cause that is where the money is being spent so others go there. AND if doing that you are FUNDING THOSE COUNTIES, lowering their Taxes and funding their governments. But you just complain and trash our community on the messages. Look at yourself.

#3 Billy on 03/14/12 at 12:01 PM [Reply]

The person who reviews the bills should have to pay back the cost not the farmers. What the heck is going on. Are they sleeping on the job.

#4 Anonymous on 03/14/12 at 12:11 PM [Reply]

Council needs to clean house in the billing department. If you collect what is owed and do your job, the City can lower the cost for everyone. I'm sure the billing clerk also makes around $80,000.

#5 Anonymous on 03/14/12 at 01:34 PM [Reply]

Way to go David. Wonder why Chip never caught this?

#6 Resident on 03/14/12 at 03:37 PM [Reply]

Seems like Winder is off to a very good start.
I agree. Clean house.

#7 Concerned on 03/15/12 at 07:17 AM [Reply]

So its my understanding that if the farm operator had not commented about his bill the incorrect billing could have went on and on. Looks like some internal controls/audit need s to be in place.

#7.1 Fed Up on 03/16/12 at 09:44 PM [Reply]

Billing Supervisor has a major attitude and falls under the Chip and Sabrina management. She should have encouraged her employees instead of being so mean.
Finance Director should have caught this billing error. I just have to ask, has any one checked on Winder's Finance Directors credit score? Divorce,rumor has it the house was foreclosed on by the bank. Pontoon boat gone. What else? And she is controlling our City's money????? I would feel so much better if our Mayor, Administrator and Council would please check into these concerns.

#7.1.1 justme on 03/21/12 at 12:34 PM [Reply]

What should divorce rumors have to do with their job? Oh yea, I forgot, this is small, hillbilly town run by a bunch of gossip.

#8 balady on 03/15/12 at 09:31 PM [Reply]

If I made that kind of money I would be working late to solve the problem. Why do these employees feel entitled to large salaries and no responsibility. I am so mad that chip would give raises on his way out. This is all of our money.

#9 Anonymous on 03/19/12 at 11:46 AM [Reply]

The carziest thuing about this is that the city thinks that they can now go back and collect . They are even talking about sueing the farmers... ridiculas.At least one of the farmers brought this to the cities attention and were told not to worry about it , the bill was correct.This is prepostorous, I hope that I get to sit on the jury if they do sue the farmers in court, because the dam city wont get a dime,
Jack Legg

#9.1 Unjust enrichment on 03/25/12 at 04:26 PM [Reply]

This sounds like "unjust enrichment". Look it up. Someone received a benefit because of someone error. John Stell would know off hand if this applies and be good grounds to recoup correct amounts.
Hopefully the farmers are honest and would want to do the right thing and pay for what they received.
If they sold me 10,000 chickens but only billed me for 100 I'm sure they would want to be paid for the 10.000 I received.
As the engineer said when the bridge fell,"DARN THAT DECIMAL."

#10 TickedOff on 03/19/12 at 03:32 PM [Reply]

While I can certainly understand the city s point wanting to recoup lost dollars for the mistake, to sue citizens for the money well...is just plain stupid. It will wind up costing the city and ultimately, the taxpayer more than its worth. I can't agree with Dixon or the council doing this. Be very careful Mr. Mayor, a wrong choice here and your honeymoon can end quick. The city or city employee made a mistake, and a costly one, learn from it and move on. If it is one persons job to set the billing or meters to the correct calibration, then fire them, if the city is at fault, well suck it up. Be thankful the farmer let you know whats going on instead of suing him. Mr. Mayor you sir are in charge, not Bob Dixon.

#10.1 Anonymous on 03/25/12 at 06:48 AM [Reply]

Chip, go take another drink and wallow in your self-pity. This was another one of your employees you gave a substantial raise while in your last week in office. Not only did this mistake happen on your watch you rewarded the incompetance with more stupidity (and cost the taxpayers more money). You are like the jelly of the month club.

#11 Georgia number one most corrupt Govt employees on 03/19/12 at 03:46 PM [Reply]

well i guees folks have one choice, pay or find new provider? switch to propane i suppose. run contract line from carl maybe not pying for the gas just paying to lease the line and work out private contract with the landfill....

but Georgia made the number one.... yes the number one most corrupt state of ALL fifty!!! yay go hard working self proclaimed breaking your life and doing so much for us... while evidently doing even more for yourselfs then any other state employyees and elected officals!! go DAWGS!!!!

#11.1 Anonymous on 03/19/12 at 04:53 PM [Reply]

Per Lawless America - Georgia ranked as The Most Corrupt of the 50 States "http://www.lawlessamerica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=782:georgia-ranked-as-the-most-corrupt-of-the-50-states&catid=117:news-reports&Itemid=219"

#12 Wont be voting for Dixon on 03/21/12 at 08:25 PM [Reply]

I just read the article in the paper about the gas dept under billing the
farmers. What I am shocked at is how Councilman Bob Dixon talked down to
Miss Reidling. And all the slury comments he made to her. Throwing his
weight around like a big bad bully. I would like to have seen Miss Reidling
resign on the spot and then knock his teeth down his throat. I don’t think
he would have the guts to talk to a man that way. I’m also disappointed in
the Mayor and other councilmen for standing by and letting him act this way
without stepping in.

#12.1 Anonymous on 03/24/12 at 09:30 PM [Reply]

I agree. Bob Dixon needs to go. After his public tantrum. Looks like he has been hanging around with Yearwood too much.

#12.2 Part of Bob's personality on 03/25/12 at 04:40 PM [Reply]

No excuse for his bullying. That's the he was when he was a teacher. Ruled by intimidation and bullying.
As councilman he has cut through some things and done some good things, but there is a right way and wrong way to do things and treat people.

#12.3 Todd on 03/27/12 at 06:26 AM [Reply]

Councilman Dixon took it easy on her, if that was my business I would have fired her on the spot. She was not doing her job. Customer service is poor and the employees taking the bills don't seem to care about providing services. When I come in to pay my bill they always seem to be on break. The front area looks like a breakroom. All this is also under Dawn's lack of management.

Bob you have my support to make some major changes.

#13 Anonymous on 03/27/12 at 10:56 AM [Reply]

Bob has tried to run over other departments but so far he isnt able to get away with it. Remember when a city police officer stood his ground and Dixon had to back down. He is just like a little bully, once you stand up to him he goes away

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