City Pauses All Water Late Fees, Building Permit Fees, and Animal Shelter Fees in Wake of Tornado Damage

SAN ANGELO, TX -- The San Angelo City Council approved emergency measures for tornado victims during an emergency session Tuesday morning. 

Mayor Brenda Gunter led the council in unanimously approving a resolution which waives late fees for water utility bills, building permit fees temporarily and impounding and boarding fees for pets lost in the storm. 

According to the resolution, because of the tornado damage on May 18, 2019, late fees for water bills for residents who live north of 20th Street between Main Street and Poe and immediately adjacent streets for a period of 30 days.  All other requests for waiver of late fees will be taken on a case by case basis. 

The action also waives building permit fees for six months city wide resulting from storm damage.  Mayor Gunter said residents still have to use licensed contractors and obtain building permits, but the fees will be waived. The six month time period could be extended at a later date if needed. 

Council members also approved waiving fees for housing stray pets which were lost during the storm through June 4, 2019.  

The resolution during the five minute emergency meeting Tuesday morning also allocated $250,000 in a no-bid emergency contract for chipping of brush and debris removal to Compact Conservation and Construction, LLC which started work on Monday.  The funds will come from the city's solid waste fund. 

In related news, city Public Information Officer Anthony Wilson said plans changed Tuesday morning for volunteers in the Bradford neighborhood. They should report no earlier than 9 a.m. to Bradford Elementary School, 2302 Bradford St., entering via Poe Street and parking on Poe or Main streets. 

Volunteers had been asked to report to Foster Communications Coliseum in anticipation of worsened conditions after last night’s storms. The storms did not complicate logistics. 

On Wednesday, volunteers should report to the coliseum, 50 E. 43rd St., where they will sign in and be bused to Bradford beginning at 10 a.m. The Concho Valley Council of Governments will run buses in 30-minute intervals until 8 p.m.