News & Events
Handy Latest New & Events
Update to Automated Meter Reading System
With the billing software update complete and the system operating smoothly, the District staff is now ready to focus on the update to the Automated Meter Reading system. Recently, the District installed the latest version of the reading software from Itron, the company who provides both our automated meter reading software and hardware. The next step will be replacing the mobile collection device, (which docks inside the meter reading truck) with a smaller, more efficient handheld collection device called the MCLite, (Mobile Collector Lite). This piece of equipment will provide more accurate readings because of it’s capability to be carried in the field, as well as offering the stationary feature, like the device currently in use. This should reduce the number of re-reads every month, as well as the man-hours required to complete them. The cost of the MCLite is just under $15,000.00 and was included in the District’s 2011-2012 budget. Following Board approval at their January meeting, the hardware can be purchased and possibly in use as early as the mid-February reading cycle. The District’s regular meter reader, Justin Sullivan, is eagerly anticipating the equipment upgrade and says, “I look forward to using the MCLite and feel confident that it will make meter reading easier and therefore maximizing productivity in our monthly reading process.”
Improved Financial Status is Music to Our Ears!
Some of you may recall from our June 2011 Newsletter (and the
notification from the Local Government Commission that we included with it),
that the District’s past financial condition has been undesirable, to say
the least. The Board of Supervisors and staff have been working hard to
manage the District’s money appropriately. In addition, a slight increase to
water rates proved necessary to help the District, both to continue to
operate and maintain our systems, as well as to recover from the financial
hardship. Therefore, we were excited when the District recently received
positive feedback from the Department of State Treasurer-Local Government
Commission regarding our financial situation. Since the District’s financial
condition has a direct impact on all of our customers, we thought you may
also enjoy reading the letter, so we have included it below.
Badin Lake Sewer Project (Winter 2012)
Residential connections to the sewer system will start this month with approximately 120 property owners in the Shamrock and Shoreline (Circle) Drive subdivisions, as well as a portion of Shoreline Rd in the Dixie Shores subdivision. We anticipate the other Badin Lake area subdivisions to connect in additional phases through mid 2013. As each phase progresses, letters will be mailed out to property owners of the included subdivision(s) and/or road(s). These letters will provide the 90 day notification previously assured to property owners and will include step by step instructions to follow, concerning the process of discontinuing use of their septic systems and connecting to the District’s sewer system. This mailing will also include information regarding the electrical and plumbing permitting, as well as the interim sewer rate schedule adopted by the Board of Supervisors at their January 12, 2012 meeting. In addition, the mail-out will include a list of area plumbers and electricians, and information about the proper use of the grinder pump/tank. The District is currently working to address many customer complaints left behind by the contractors, including driveway and road repairs as well as yard cleanup. (These issues are being handled by District staff, but the costs incurred will be passed along to the responsible contractor.) In addition, the District is beginning to address other contractor related problems that have recently arisen, such as improper installations of some of the residential grinder pumps and valves, incomplete connections of some of the residential service lines to the main lines, and incorrect valve installations. Another recent dilemma the District is facing is the odor control issue at the lift stations. For those of you experiencing this stench, we apologize for this inconvenience. A chemical additive is being pumped into the wet wells at key locations among the eleven lift stations. We are currently in the process of determining the appropriate concentration of chemicals to mask the odor to a tolerable level, while also remaining a cost effective solution. Unfortunately, while the appropriate level of chemicals is being experimented with over the next couple of months, the odor may come and go, or be stronger some days than others. We ask for your patience and understanding as we resolve this issue.
Website Revisions Now Complete
If you haven’t visited the District’s website lately, you might want to spend a few minutes checking it out! Over the past couple of months, our staff has been working with Robbie English of South Davidson Technologies to completely redesign the entire site. We are pleased with the improvements and hope you will find the new website to be accessible and informative. The new home page includes a calendar to help you keep up with important District-related events, like Board meetings, holiday hours for the office, when the bills are mailed out, their due date, and when service is subject to to disconnection. The home page also contains quick links to view Minutes from Board meetings, or to pay your bill online (see article below). In addition, the updated site now provides information about the entire operation of the District, from the governing functions to the day-to-day processes of the administrative, water, and wastewater departments. Other pages on the modified website provide contact information for the Board members and staff, as well as a history of the District.
Online Bill Pay Available Soon
Recently the District asked for your opinion regarding online bill pay. We are happy to report that our customers responded with a lot of feedback . As with any other District matter, we appreciate all of your input. For those customers who expressed interest in the District offering online bill pay, we think you will be pleased to know that the Board voted unanimously at their December 8th meeting to make this modern payment method available. The per transaction fee that will be charged to customers was set at $4.00. After having determined an estimated number of interested customers, we feel that the $4.00 fee established is an accurate amount through which the District can recoup the costs that will be incurred for the software and installation of the online bill pay service. Currently, the office staff is working with Computer Software Innovations to integrate the online service with the District’s billing system. Following completion of the set-up and brief training for the office staff, the online bill pay option should be available at the District’s website, (www.handywater.com), no later than April 1, 2012. By clicking on the Pay Bill Online link on the home page, a customer will be led through a secure online process to pay their bill, by use of their credit or debit card. In addition to paying their bill online, customers will be able to view their account’s usage and payment history. We hope that many of our customers will benefit from the availability of the online service and find it to be an easy and convenient payment option.
Water Leaks Cost Money
| Size of Leak (inches) | Gallons Each Day (at 60 PSI) | Gallons Each Month (at 60 PSI) |
| 1/16 | 360 | 11,160 |
| 1/8 | 3096 | 95,976 |
| 3/16 | 8424 | 261,144 |
| 1/4 | 14,952 | 463,512 |
Leaking Faucet @ 100 Drips/Minute = 350 Gallons/Month
Leaking Toilet @ 1/2 Gallon/Minute = 21,600 Gallons/Month
Watering Garden or Lawn 2 hrs @ 5 Gallons/Minute = 18,000 Gallons/Month
Watering Garden or Lawn 2 hrs @ 10 Gallons/Minute = 36,000 Gallons/Month
Unattended Water Hose 9 hrs @10 Gallons/Minute = 5,400 Gallons
Make Every Drop Count!
| 1 Bath | 42 Gallons |
| 30 Baths | 1,260 Gallons |
| 1 Shower | 17 Gallons |
| 30 Showers | 510 Gallons |
| 1 Load | 45 Gallons |
| 20 Loads | 900 Gallons |
| 1 Flush | 7 Gallons |
| 10 Flushes/Day | 2100 Gallons/Month |
Board Approves 2011-2012 Budget
The District’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30th. A budget for 2011-2012 was approved by a 3-2 vote at the June 9th Board meeting, and went into effect on July 1st. Currently, the majority of the District’s revenue comes from water sales and the budget approved included an increase to the water rate. You may be wondering exactly how the revenues we collect are being spent. Well, the expenses side of the budget this year includes funding for the following capital costs : The rebuilding of a pump at the Byron St. Tank, which is crucial to day-to-day operations The purchase of a new service truck to be used for repairing/maintaining the water system To establish a maintenance program for all of the District’s water tanks, which improves the quality of water The purchase of essential updates to the automated meter reading system and the mapping program To establish reserves which set aside funding for improvements to the District’s systems
Billing Software Update Complete, and a Big Success
As planned, the update to the District’s billing software system took place on July 13th. The new version of the system offers a variety of features including: Easier to access and input customer information (only with designated login) Simpler and more accurate process for payment posting More streamlined process for making bill adjustments when necessary due to leaks, late fees, etc. Faster to process and update work orders Easier to track work orders historically The office staff is currently working with Computer Software Innovations, the District’s billing software company, to iron out a few minor details resulting from the update. We are very happy to report that overall the new system is operating smoothly and efficiently. The office personnel are enjoying the well-organized structure of the new software system and our own Customer Service Representative, Angela Jennings, had this to say about it: “Based on my experience with the new software, I have no doubts that directly it will be beneficial for office utilization, in addition to providing another avenue with which we can better serve our customers.” Prior to starting the Automated Meter Reading software update, we are awaiting finalization of the billing software update, since these systems function together, as well as independently. We anticipate turning our attention to the AMR update in late fall.
Reconnect Fee Goes Up, But Late Fee Comes Down
Following much discussion and consideration over the District’s controversial late and reconnect fee amounts, the Board of Supervisors approved in a 4-1 vote at their June 9th meeting to increase the reconnect fee from $50.00 to $65.00, while decreasing the late fee from $25.00 to $15.00. The changes became effective July 1st and overall have had a positive impact during the first couple of months. The District mails out bills on the 1st of each month, and the due date is the 21st. To avoid the late fee, be sure to pay your bill by the 21st. If a bill is not paid by the 10th of the following month, it is subject to disconnection. To avoid disconnection, and the accompanying reconnect fee, pay any past due balance by the 10th.
New Auditing Firm Selected
The Local Government Commission requires that an audit of the District’s financial statements be completed and submitted annually. Steven D. Scarboro, CPA has previously performed Handy’s audit for several years but chose not to submit a contract renewal for the 2010-2011 audit. Following the required bidding process, proposals were received from five auditing firms. Martin, Starnes, & Associates, CPAs, P.A. was chosen as the new auditing firm for the District at the July 14th Board meeting. Established in 1987, Martin, Starnes, & Associates, is a large organization with offices in Hickory and Taylorsville, NC. The firm serves as the auditor for many municipalities and sanitary districts across North Carolina, including locally, Davidson and Montgomery counties. The annual auditing process started for the District’s staff around the end of July, and following Martin, Starnes, & Associates’ report of findings to the District Board of Supervisors at their October 13th meeting, will conclude with the submission of the audit report to the LGC. Following working with Martin, Starnes & Associates, through the transition phase and on the 2010-2011 audit, Handy’s Office/Finance Manager, Lisa Hedrick, expressed that she is pleased with the business relationship that has been started with the firm, and looks forward to helping the District maintain a long-term professional affiliation with Martin, Starnes, & Associates.
Employees Obtain Licenses Important to Water and Sewer Operations
Following completion of a NC American Water Works Association (NCAWWA) course of study, and the passing of an exam through NC Water Treatment Facility Operators Certification Board (NCWTFOCB), both Ken Clippinger and Greg Carroll recently received their Grade A Distribution Operator Licenses. This is the highest level achievable for Distribution certification and must be preceded by first acquiring Grades D, C, and B. NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources sets the grade of a water distribution system, depending on the number of customers served, and requires each system to have a person designated as Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC). The District’s system is currently a Grade B and not far from being a Grade A and Ken Clippinger is presently the ORC of the water distribution system. With Greg Carroll’s acquisition of the A Distribution license, Handy has an additional employee eligible of being appointed ORC. In addition to Ken and Greg’s accomplishments, Michael Stepp, Jr. and Robbie Haltom received their Grade C Distribution Operator Licenses. Another NCDENR requirement is for the distribution system to have an appointed ORC of the cross-connection program. Following completion of a NCAWWA course of study, and the passing of an exam through the NCWTFOCB, Greg Carroll recently acquired a Cross-Connection Control Operator License, which makes him eligible for being appointed Cross-Connection ORC. On the wastewater side, following completion of a NCAWWA course of study, and the passing of an exam through NC Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification Commission, Robbie Haltom recently received his Grade 4 Collections System Operator License. This is the highest level achievable for Collections certification, and must be preceded by first acquiring Grades 1, 2, and 3. With the Grade 4 License now in hand, Robbie is eligible to be appointed Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) of Handy’s wastewater collections system. Congrats to Ken, Greg, Robbie, and Michael on their achievements!!
Pictured left to right:
Ken Clippinger, Greg Carroll, Robbie Haltom and Michael Stepp, Jr. with their recently acquired certifications
Charles Harp Recently Appointed as Attorney for the District
Following
the resignation of attorney Franklin Wells, the Board of Supervisors voted
unanimously at their July 14th meeting to appoint Charles Harp as the
District’s new legal representation. He currently resides in Lexington and
practices law out of an office in Denton as well as one in Lexington. Mr.
Harp served as Handy’s attorney several years ago when the District was
originally formed and is excited about being a part of the organization
again. His role as attorney for Handy includes working with staff to ensure
that applying General Statutes are followed in the operations of the
District, as well as advising the Board legally during closed session
matters such as personnel and contract negotiations.
From the Desk of General Manager Randy Welch : Organizational and Operational Changes to Better Serve You!
In conjunction with the sprucing-up of the office and parking lot completed earlier this year, I have been looking at ways to improve the daily, internal operations of the District to better serve our customers. Recently, I have implemented a few changes that I think will have a positive impact on the entire Handy organization, from the employee level, to each and every customer. Following Board approval at the August 4th meeting, job descriptions were introduced to employees. Job descriptions provide a foundation for each position with the District and serve as a multipurpose tool that can be used in virtually every aspect of the employment process, including recruitment, interviewing, selection, training, performance appraisals, and disciplinary actions. An organizational chart was also presented to the employees, which helps them to understand and utilize the proper chain-of-command. Another recent development was the clarification of three separate departments (Administration, Water, and Wastewater) working together within the District. With the sewer system nearing operational status, it was essential to designate field personnel to either the water department or the wastewater department. This ensures that the District is adequately staffed and prepared to address all issues arising that affect either the water or the wastewater systems. It allows employees to focus on their individual responsibilities, while also learning the appropriate procedures to follow when it is necessary for the departments to work together. Presently the water department consists of four full-time employees, and the wastewater department consists of two full-time employees and one part-time employee. Including myself, the administration department consists of five full-time employees. Exactly how do these modifications affect you? Well, combined, these changes keep our employees more informed about their respective positions, their responsibilities and how their daily work impacts the District, and ultimately, more satisfied. Happy employees are more productive, which in turn, ensures that the highest quality of service is being provided to each of you as customers.