A financial statement in the red was the main topic of discussion during the regularly scheduled meeting of Register Town Council held earlier this week at Register town hall.
    Mayor James L. Oates, Sr. presented council with a profit and loss statement for June 2010 showing a deficit of $2,100.
    A guest at the meeting was accountant Edie Olliff who reviewed each revenue and expense item with council, and Oates solicited council’s ideas for cost-cutting.
    “We’ve got to keep cutting costs wherever we can,” said Oates.
    Questions were raised about the billing software used for water services.
    “Why are we paying for software every month,” asked council member Kevin Boyd.  “Couldn't we use something like Quick Books?”
    Clerk Doris Douzenis said she has been researching the issue of the water billing software and is talking with the Town of Portal who utilizes software offered by the state at no cost. 
    Giving further explanation of the town’s current financial struggle, Oliff reminded council members that earlier this year three credit card accounts had been paid off, a debt of the past administration.
    “We had to pay those off,” said Oates.  “We were paying exorbitant interest rates and late fees.”
    Oliff offered a ray of hope despite the shortfall this month.
    “Some expenses won’t be on next month’s statement,” said Oliff. “Plus, other revenue sources can be expected in January, February and March 2011.”
    As an additional revenue source, Oliff suggested council might revisit raising water bills.
    “No, uh-uh,” said council member Ann Ross emphatically. “We don’t want to do that.”
    Roberts agreed, saying, “People in Register have been beat to death over that water bill.”
    Council discussed water usage, the tiered billing system and ideas for charging fair rates while observing water conservation strategies.
    Roberts summed up the meeting and the Town’s financial position. 
    “We knew we would deal with this the first year because of the situation we were given by the past administration,” stated Roberts. “But next year, we should be able to have it straightened out and stay in the black.”
    Absent from the meeting were council members Donald Kiltz and John Williams.