McAlester council to send letter to rural water districts over unpaid sewer accounts

City staff told the council they have attempted to add contract language requiring rural water districts to assist in collecting sewer delinquencies from customers who live outside city limits but use the city's sewer service. The staff presentation said three of five districts refused to return the renewed contract and that the city will send a formal letter invoking Title 11 reciprocal‑enforcement provisions to seek compliance. "We put a statement in the renewals that the rural water districts would help us enforce collection of those delinquent accounts," staff said; "three of the five refused to even return the contract."

City attorneys and operations staff explained options if districts remain noncompliant, including billing the rural district directly for unpaid sewer service or, as a last resort, terminating water sales to a district that will not execute an agreement. The city's legal counsel said state law treats "public entities" broadly and gave staff authority to proceed with correspondence as an enforcement step. Council directed staff to send the letter and to bring the matter back in 30 days if the districts do not respond, with potential further action to be determined at that time.

Council members raised concerns about the practical consequences of disconnection and the potential harm to residents served by the rural districts. Staff and council discussed alternative compromises — such as billing the district for delinquent sewer accounts and allowing the district to settle with its customers — as ways to avoid cutting off individual residents' water. The council vote authorized staff to proceed with the written notice and further follow-up rather than immediate litigation or disconnection.