By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The Panora City Council met in regular session on Aug. 24. The council reviewed a letter from Eleisca Clayton (Family Resource Center) regarding a water leak at 319 East Market St. The letter explained that the home is occupied by three individuals who receive Social Security Disability benefits and live on fixed incomes.
According to the letter, a water leak, discovered on July 1, had been ongoing for four weeks before it was discovered in the utility room by house staff. The water bill totaled $3,456, which the letter stated is much higher than the address’s usual bill. Clayton asked the city to forgive $3,000 of that.
City Administrator Lisa Grossman detailed the billing.
“The water portion was $2,295. The sewer portion was $728.21,” she said. “From what I understand, it was a leak in their utility room, and it was actually going down the drain to the sewer.”
Mayor Curt Thornberry noted that in such situations, the city has previously not forgiven the billing. No action was taken on the matter.
Grossman shared information on an unpaid invoice from Guthrie County REC for $52,731. The invoice was from October 2024. She said the billing was somehow missed by REC at that time, and she confirmed that the city has never paid that invoice. Grossman also said the amount of the invoice is in line with what would normally be expected. The council voted to pay the invoice.
The next regular meeting of the council will be Sept. 14 at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome. Interested persons may attend in person or electronically by visiting the website https://meet.goto.com/cityofpanora or by phone 1-312-757-3121 (Access Code 295-099-701, Audio PIN 220#).