Out-sourcing of city bills explained
An explanation was provided to Marion City Council this past week regarding the out-sourcing of the city's utility bills.
There was some criticism expressed at previous city council meetings about the change.
In a memo provided to the council, city clerk Angela Lange and assistant city clerk Becky Makovec reported the following information.
— An estimated 1,150 bills are processed and sent each month.
— Having Postal Presort Inc. of Wichita print, stuff, and mail the statements costs the city an additional $11.50 per month or approximately $138 per year.
— Costs are 56 cents for one-page statements, 63 cents for additional pages, and 15 cents for additional inserts (newsletters, flyers, etc.). The cost also includes paper and envelopes.
— Programming charges are $60 per hour.
In the memo, it was stated that "it would be nearly impossible for us (the city) to process the same quality of bills for this amount."
The memo also stated that since the new billing system has been implemented, there has not been a single instance when a customer has reported not receiving a statement. Previously when the city used billing cards, there would be numerous calls each month from customers with that complaint.
It also was noted that when former city clerk Linda Holub resigned, Lange was appointed clerk and Makovec assistant clerk. The third position was not filled.
