School District: New Life Baptist Owes $73,000; Water, Gas Still In District’s Name

September 11, 2008

The Escambia County School District has reached a dollar figure they say New Life Baptist Church owes for electric bills on the Old Century High School, and the Town of Century has totaled gas, water and sewer bills on the building.

NorthEscambia.com was the first to report on August 7 that the Escambia County School District had paid water, sewer and gas bills for the old Century High School since it was leased by the Century church in 2004. New Life Baptist Church leases the building from the Escambia County School District for $1 per year. In an exclusive interview with NorthEscambia.com shortly after the story broke, New Life Pastor Irvin Stallworth acknowledged that the church had never paid any utility bills since moving into the building.

The Gulf Power electric account for the building was switched into the name of New Life Baptist on September 1, according to Ronnie Arnold, school district spokesman. The total amount Arnold says New Life owes the district for electricity for the four year period is about $73,000.

“We are in discussions with Rev. Stallworth and his trustees to develop a monthly payment plan for the church to make restitution,” Arnold said.

The gas, water and sewer accounts at the building remain in the school districts name, according to Century Mayor Freddie McCall.

An account history obtained by NorthEscambia.com shows that the water, sewer and gas bills from the Town of Century totaled $123,488.81 for the period from August 2004 to August 2008.

Arnold said those accounts would be switched to New Life’s name after the town installs new meters. The current meters serve both the old high school building leased by the church as well as the gym and football field that are still used by the school district.

McCall confirmed that the district had spoken with the town about installing the new meters and town employees had met with a district maintenance man to located lines. But he said the district had not yet initiated a work order to have the meters installed.

Comments

2 Responses to “School District: New Life Baptist Owes $73,000; Water, Gas Still In District’s Name”

  1. taxpayer on September 12th, 2008 1:29 pm

    “We are in discussions with Rev. Stallworth and his trustees to develop a monthly payment plan for the church to make restitution,” Arnold said.

    As well, you can mark this down in the book! the School District will never see the full pay-back of the stollen funds!!!!!!

  2. taxpayer on September 12th, 2008 1:27 pm

    “We are in discussions with Rev. Stallworth and his trustees to develop a monthly payment plan for the church to make restitution,” Arnold said.

    What a Joke…thanks to Mr. Barns for his concern..because Ronnie Arnold and the School District Staff didn’t care about this issue…now they are working out payment plans? thought this should go before the School Board Members, not Ronnie?? again the cart is in front of the mule…..sad day for the taxpayers