Residents press council on New Hope Agency, high water bill and tap‑fee

During public comment at the Oct. 1 Wymore City Council meeting, three residents raised separate localized concerns and the council described next steps.

Lisa Munstermann asked about the New Hope Agency after social‑media discussion; City Clerk Janet Riensche said the agency had applied for a Special Use Permit then withdrew the application and that the matter — and a requested tractor‑pull location — would be placed on the next agenda.

Debra Powell and her cousin Sharon Powell attended to discuss a large water bill at the late Roger Powell’s house. The Powells said an outdoor faucet had been left on while the homeowner was in care and that the family needs time to arrange payment. Clerk Riensche recommended turning the city service off to avoid base fees and invited the family to meet with city staff to arrange payment options; the family agreed to have service turned off for now.

Patrick Caslin asked the council to waive a tap fee to reconnect water service at 200 W E Street, saying the service should not have been capped off. City Attorney Andy Carothers and council members replied that the cap had been requested by a prior owner, the property was sold as‑is, and the city is not responsible for paying to install new water and sewer services.

None of the items resulted in immediate council-directed financial relief; the clerk and city staff were directed to place the New Hope Agency and tractor‑pull requests on the next agenda and to meet with the Powell family to discuss payment arrangements.