With the work completed, the total cost of the repairs was $125,522.13. However, the city rejected Collins\u2019 invoice.<\/p>\n
Aransas Pass contractor disputes city over sewer overflow repair costs<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had to cut the sheetrock out to 2 feet, take all the insulation, the baseboards, the flooring, anything that the black water touched had to come out,\u201d Collins told KRIS 6 News. \u201cIt was a very, very extensive remodel.\u201d He continued, \u201cI don\u2019t know who they really think is going to pay the invoice.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAm I supposed to eat it? Is a homeowner supposed to cough it up? No, that\u2019s not going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam Beam<\/p>\n
A letter from the City of Aransas Pass sent to Tom Collins in November.<\/p>\n
In a letter sent to Collins in November, the contractor learned that the city\u2019s insurance carrier, the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool, determined the city was not negligent when the home sustained damage.<\/p>\n
According to Collins, the city told him a pool noodle caused the August backup.<\/p>\n
In August, Public Works Director David Flores told KRIS 6 News similar situations had occurred and the city had ways to address damage. \u201cWe\u2019ll get a contractor to do cleanup, change baseboards, the flooring, anything that gets damaged,\u201d Flores said at the time. \u201cIf the homeowner takes charge and hires a contractor, we\u2019ll have them send us an invoice, and we\u2019ll take care of it from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
KRIS 6 News reached out to Flores but has not received a response.<\/p>\n
WATCH OUR PREVIOUS REPORTING HERE:<\/p>\n
Sewage backup causes extensive damage to Aransas Pass home<\/p>\n
City Manager Mary Juarez echoed the response given to Collins in the letter. While declining further comment, Juarez noted the city did not have a contract with Collins or his business to complete repairs or receive compensation for the work.<\/p>\n
Collins said he wants the city to cover the cost of the repairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, if it comes to that, then we\u2019re going to have to get attorneys involved, and it\u2019s going to cost the city of Aransas Pass a heck of a lot more with attorney fees, late charges, penalties and whatnot,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cThe sad thing is, whenever my water bill comes in from the city of Aransas Pass, I pay it right away, and I would expect the city of Aransas Pass to do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
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