Mount Vernon water customers with late bills face shutoffs starting Tuesday

Shutoffs begin this Tuesday for any Mount Vernon water customers who are late on their water bills, Mathias Orndorf, director of public utilities, said. Anyone with a balance remaining on their account should contact the water office to make a payment.

The city also wanted to inform water customers that a bill-paying service they may find on Google searches is not affiliated with the city. The service from doxo.com does pay your water bill but charges you $3.99.

Customers can mail their own check, call the office to pay their bill over the phone or visit the city’s website and pay online. In the next few months, the city will increase payment options.

Parks

The city has begun to see vandalism at Harmony Playground in Memorial Park and at restrooms at Aerial Foundation Park, Mayor Matt Starr said. The public is asked to immediately report to the police any vandalism they see taking place.

Engineering

A water line project serving Country Court nursing home and other customers will provide three different water lines to serve this critical customer, City Engineer Brian Ball said. Once a critical part is delivered, crews will resume installing the water line down to Coshocton tied to the nursing home.

Crews have constructed 150 feet of the bike trail underpass with five truckloads of concrete placed.

The Mount Vernon Avenue bridge may open for traffic by the end of the year, depending on the weather, Ball said.

Water

Leak detectors have been going throughout the city doing sounding to detect water leaks. The percentage of water loss is much higher than expected. The city is encouraging five property owners to fix leaks they already know about.

Wastewater

A screen for one of two wastewater digesters broke, creating an emergency replacement situation. The city plans a major rehabilitation of that digester.

Fire Department

Rastin Tower and the bridge will be lit with red this weekend for National Firefighter Memorial Weekend.

CARES Act

Starr said he attended a webinar by state Auditor Keith Ferber on how CARES Act funds can be spent. In the most recent funding round, Mount Vernon received a little more than $600,000, bringing its total near $900,000.