Gas rates for Tompkinsville’s residential customers will remain the same but commercial and industrial rates will be raised, the Tompkinsville Commission decided at its monthly meeting two weeks ago Thursday night.

Mayor Jeff Proffitt said that he, Jeff Harrison, the City Commissioner responsible for the gas department and Harold Frazer, Maintenance Department supervisor, made these recommendations after studying the current rates and noting that the gas department is losing money. The recommendations were unanimously approved, effective immediately, depending on whether or not an ordinance is required to change the rates.

The Commission also voted, after going into closed session, to settle the DeRanco lawsuit, related to a dispute over installing utility lines to the senior apartments on Celina Road, that had been pending since 2005. The city agreed to pay a total of $30,000 in three monthly installments, beginning in June.

Second reading of an ordinance related to delinquent city license taxes was approved. This ordinance gives those who owe city business license taxes an opportunity to pay their delinquent taxes without being prosecuted if payment is made in full by July 19. After that date, the Commission plans to proceed to prosecute those who have failed to pay.

The Commission discussed at length the problem of delinquent utility bills on rental property, especially where customers leave one residence owing a bill and establish a new residence under a different name. Possibilities mentioned included putting liens on property with unpaid utility bills; requiring an ID or showing an electric bill in order to establish a new utility account; adopting a “no tolerance policy,” like that of Tri-County; and increasing deposits. The Commission decided to do more research before making any policy changes.

Vacant lots within the city that needed to be mowed were also discussed. The Commission asked city attorney Reed Moore to draft a letter to the owners of these lots, noting that the current ordinance states that his/her lot needs to be mowed, he/she has seven days to remedy the situation or the city will mow the lot and charge the property owner $50 (or $25 per hour). If this fee is not paid, the city can put a lien on the property.