Committee recommends $3,585 appropriation to cover misbilled phone invoices

The Everett City Council Committee of Ways and Means on Monday voted to recommend favorable action to the full council for a $3,585 appropriation to cover prior-year phone invoices that were reportedly misbilled to the police department.

Mike Mangan, a legislative aide, told the committee the bills were for cell phones used by personnel at the Hancock Street Fire Department but had been sent to the wrong office and therefore not paid on time by the intended department. He said the phone lines are no longer in service and that the invoices were routed incorrectly by the carrier.

"It was supposed to be for cell phones for some personnel up at the Everett Fire Department on Hancock Street, but from my understanding these cell phones are no longer in effect, and it was an outstanding bill," Mangan said, describing communications with Chief Mazie and Nancy Weiner in 911 about the matter.

Councilor Garcia asked whether the carrier had charged a late fee; Mangan said he was not aware of any late fee. After brief discussion, the committee moved to recommend favorable action to the full council; the motion passed by voice vote.

The committee’s recommendation sends the appropriation request to the full council for formal approval and appropriation from the general fund balance (free cash) to pay the unpaid invoices. The committee did not report any proposed amendments to the request. The next step is a full council vote on the appropriation.