Trezevant to Issue Refunds For Inflated Water Bills

TREZEVANT (June 9) — The Trezevant Mayor and Board of Aldermen met Tuesday to address a range of municipal issues, with significant focus on water billing irregularities and a tense dispute over the finances of the town’s Industrial Development Board (IDB).

The board took immediate action on water billing concerns after residents reported receiving significantly inflated bills.

Water department operator Erik Grimes, who was present at the meeting, attributed the missed readings to recurring water leaks that required his immediate attention, pulling him away from his normal duties. Grimes noted he would review the specific billing complaints and acknowledged that some meters may have been misread.

Alderman Don Barger suggested that the town reimburse the residents who were overcharged.

“They were unjustly overcharged and should be reimbursed,” Barger said. “We know this was a total mistake…an overcharge.”

The board voted unanimously to have city hall staff audit records to identify overcharged accounts and either issue refunds or apply credits to future bills.

While the water issue saw consensus, the board experienced a heated confrontation regarding the IDB’s checkbook.

Barger, who served as the point of contact for the IDB prior to the board’s reconstitution in May, remains in possession of the checkbook. He insisted that he will only relinquish the account once new members are formally authorized by the bank.

“Until I have been informed that there are new authorized persons on that checking account, I will not relinquish that checkbook,” Barger said. “It has to go through the normal channels of the banking industry.”

Town Attorney Charlie Trotter challenged the delay, asserting that the funds are public property and must be under the control of the municipality.

“This is public money,” Trotter said. “It belongs to the town, and whoever’s got it ought to turn over the books and records to the current members of the board.”

The exchange intensified when Trotter indicated he would file a Freedom of Information Act request to force the turnover of the records. Barger stated he is already working with the bank to remove his name from the account.

In other legislative business, the board addressed the town’s fireworks ordinance, voting to lower the sales license fee from $1,500 to $150 after determining the previous fee was excessive. Alderman Dan Dieringer was the only board member to dissent. The license is required for each sales period, meaning businesses must obtain one for Independence Day and another for New Year’s celebrations.

The board also moved to boost municipal visibility by approving the creation of an official town website. The project was proposed by IDB member Janet Dickson, who suggested the site could provide information on schools and community events to support growth.

“If we’re trying to grow,” Dickson said, “we need to show the people what we’re all about.”

Dickson agreed to build the website, which will cost the town between $540–$840 per year.

Additionally, the board approved the rezoning of a city-owned property at 5340 Broad Street from residential to commercial (B1). The motion passed unanimously — though some of the aldermen later voiced their dissent. They said they were not aware that they were voting in favor of the rezoning.

Alderman Dan Dieringer argued that the town should prioritize residential development over commercial expansion. He thought it was more important to invite people into Trezevant rather than businesses.

“I am not in favor of rezoning to business,” Dieringer said. “The town needs more quality housing.”

The Trezevant Fire Department presented requests for repairs to a malfunctioning garage door, estimated at $15,000, and funding for additional protective gear. Alderman Leon Lyell stressed the gravity of the situation regarding the facility’s door.

“Our door needs to be fixed one way or another,” Lyell said. While a firetruck is eventually able to get out of the garage, it takes time. This serves as a detriment to the department’s response times.

Mayor Bobby Blaylock reported that new traffic signs, priced at $8,000 total, on Highway 79 have effectively reduced speeding, with Alderman Don Barger recommending similar signs be installed on Broad Street. The board also reappointed David Bryant as chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals and heard citizen grievances regarding the state of city sidewalks.