Would you answer this request? I can’t believe anyone would! I thought it was a phishing scam at first.

Town of ~500 residents, and we do need a new water tower badly. One is ~100+ years old, constructed of wood and is just too small and too low. My water pressure runs around 30 pounds static pressure.
I have no idea who or how many at city hall and the water department would have access to the info, or how they would insure it was private and secure.

So here is my answer to the 6 questions.

I'd like to help you but...
1) Nunyo
2) Nunyo
3) Nunyo
4) Nunyo
5) Nunyo
6) Nunyo

Below is the copy from the email, and below that, a screen shot of the PDF form they sent.

——————————————
February 2019
 
Dear Bell Buckle Water Customer:
 
The Town of Bell Buckle is proposing to replace one of the Town’s water tanks that is critical in serving our customers.
 
To qualify for federal loans & grants for these improvements, we are surveying all potential users to determine their household income.  This data will be evaluated ONLY to determine if the project qualifies for federal financial assistance which is based on the median household income of the service area.
 
In order to assist in determining the household income of potential users in the service area, we request that you complete the attached form & return it to us at your earliest convenience.
 
Please note we have included a space for your name and signature.  Your response will be held in the strictest confidence.
 
Your prompt reply and assistance will be greatly appreciated.  If you have questions, please contact Bell Buckle Town Hall at 931-389-9513 or Mayor Ronnie Lokey at 931-312-0886.
 
Bell Buckle Water Department
————————————————

Numbers 2 through 5 are nothing but a way to figure out how many mill levies they can go for...and then they'll add a few more for good measure.

Screw 'em. Tell them you already pay enough in property taxes to take care of the problem.

Then, drill your own well.

^^^^^

Not no, but HELL NO.

Amazing. Wad this up for the circular file. And my guess the data will be used to set your water usage rate fee once the new tower goes up.

Inform the Water Department that all of that info is available from various US Gov websites. Here is one of them:

https://www.irs.gov/statistics...cs-zip-code-data-soi

https://www.irs.gov/statistics...form-1040-statistics

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Anush,

I am on the board for our local community water system. We've looked into grants/loans for capital projects and they are all based on income of the community. However, we have never asked members for this type of info. They can get that from home values. We are in the process of replacing one of our water tanks. All In, it's about 200k.

I have a cousin that lives outside Bell Buckle and I pass through the town a number of times a year when visiting my parents a few miles to the west. I love the town but would not volunteer any of that information if I was a resident. Circular file is right!

The new proposed water storage tank is what's call a capital improvements project. These projects are paid for in a couple different ways through purchase of bonds and or grants or by profers by developers and of course water usage fees. The town, city and or county would have to provide data in support for a grant. So yes info on residents would be needed but only general info.

I have found in over 30 years working for a county (water and sewer field operations) and the last 5 or more in water and sewer management is that the citizens that bitch the most about the water pressure, storage and or fire protection are the least supportive.

Bell Buckle, TN has a population of 401 people with a median age of 34.8 and a median household income of $66,250.
Bell Buckle, TN | Data USA
https://datausa.io/profile/geo/bell-buckle-tn/

I’d drill my own well.

quote:

Originally posted by Anush:
Inform the Water Department that all of that info is available from various US Gov websites. Here is one of them:
https://www.irs.gov/statistics...form-1040-statistics

That's exactly what I was thinking....

Bell Buckle. Water problems. Shocking....

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:
Would you answer this request?

Not a chance in hell.

They can probably get a federal grant if they can show that your community is “underprivileged”.

But, no, I wouldn’t respond.

Sure, why not? What could go wrong?

Or, the small-town clerk might not know that info is out there. You could always just respond or call and let them know where it is.

Then if they say they know but they want 'updated' info or anything like that, then go tell them to pound sand.

quote:

Originally posted by Shaql:
Or, the small-town clerk might not know that info is out there. You could always just respond or call and let them know where it is.

Then if they say they know but they want 'updated' info or anything like that, then go tell them to pound sand.

This!!!!

Tell them you make $15K a year so that your community can get the grant. Then Californians, New Yorkers, and New Jersey folks get to subsidize your small towns water tank.

Its the American way!! Over spend, under plan, and get the other guys to pay for it.

They forgot to ask how much money you have stashed in the safe and its combination.

NUH, nope!