The Pikeville City Board discussed looking into a more efficient billing cycle to cut down on the bad debt from city utility customers at the meeting Monday, July 12.

City Mayor Greg Johnson explained the current billing cycle in which residents are billed three months after the reading of the water and gas meters. He stated much of the bad debt comes from people who move and do not turn their water and gas off, and because they aren’t billed for three months it adds up before anyone notices.

The board plans to talk to Pikeville Utility Department Head Rick VanWinkle and research into switching to an easier and more effective billing cycle.

During their meeting, aldermen approved to move $3,088.55 of Pikeville Utility bad debt from active status to inactive status for collection.

In old business, Johnson told the Paws and Claws Animal Shelter, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation plans to assess the land in which the group would like to build their shelter upon.

The land, by the new county jail, has been used as a landfill in the past. TDEC must determine if the land can be built upon, if fill could be moved in, where the runoff needs to be diverted, and additional matters. Johnson said it could take up to 60 days for TDEC to reach their conclusion.

In related business, Paws and Claws requested to operate under the city’s 501(c)3 tax exemption on a temporary basis until the group is able to obtain their tax exemption. To apply for grants, the shelter must have a 501(c)3, but to apply for the 501(c)3 they must have a physical address.

Johnson said he would look into that possibility for the group.

The board moved to accept the second reading on the flood ordinance, bringing the city into compliance with Federal Emergency Management Agency and making the city and residents eligible for flood insurance. The public hearing for this ordinance will be held at the August meeting.

In other business, City Attorney Ed Boring noted he has not heard from the Citizens Tri-County Bank on whether they have located bank records for the North Bledsoe Utility District.

The first reading of the budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year is now slated for the August meeting.

The board passed a motion allowing Johnson to assess the property located south of the Pikeville Fire Department on Main Street.

It was brought to the board’s attention, the fire hydrants along downtown Main Street need to be raised to meet code. Johnson said he would look into it.

The board talked about the need to trim trees at dangerous intersections, making it easier to see oncoming traffic. Johnson stated he would contact officials on the matter.