Four town board members resign

Four board members from two different boards turned in their resignations to the town of Saratoga. Mayor John Zeiger read the four resignations at the town council meeting, Dec. 3.

Lee Tromble resigned from the Airport Board. Tromble is moving to a lower elevation for health reasons. Tromble's resignation is effective Dec. 31.

Jack Sintek also resigned from the Airport Board effective Nov. 15, but did not state why he was leaving in his resignation letter.

Jaci Schwerdt, with Community Garden board, resigned because of family commitments and Jan Crimmins-Heinle resigned from the Community Garden Board because she is leaving Saratoga.

Heinle has been serving as the board president.

Karl Smith, with PMPC, was appointed to the planning commission board. Smith has been living in Saratoga for a little over one year. Smith said he has served on the planning boards in the past.

Ordinance 820, an ordinance amending section 13.60.010 (C) of the town of Saratoga Municipal Code concerning late charges, was passed on the third reading. The ordinance states a $10 late charge to be applied to late town utility bills if not paid by the 15th of the month. The town utility bills are normally billed out on the first of every month.

Suzie Cox said she and Zeiger realized there was a problem with that ordinance after it was passed. The billing statement says that the payment is due by the 27th of the month. "Our focus was so much on interest and removing that word from the ordinance, we overlooked the fact this only gives 14 days for people to pay the bill," Cox said.

After conferring with the town attorney, Tom Thompson, the town council plans to discuss the ordinance to resolve this issue in the Dec. 17 meeting, Zeiger said.

Ordinance 821 was passed on third reading and also amends section 13.60.010 (C) of the town of Saratoga Municipal Code. This ordinance would allow the governing body (the town council) to waive late charges, when it would be in the best interest of the town of Saratoga. The late charges would have to be approved by a majority of the town council.

The next town council meeting is at 6 p.m. Dec. 17. A public meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.