During a recent city council meeting, members addressed several pressing issues, notably the ongoing challenges with the new utility billing system and the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Council members expressed concerns regarding the clarity of voicemail messages left by city staff, suggesting that improvements could be made to enhance communication. Member Neuttenkamp highlighted the importance of recognizing the contributions of small businesses owned by residents of Hispanic descent, particularly during Hispanic Heritage Month. He also announced an upcoming open house for the Old Hampton Complete Streets project, encouraging community engagement.

The meeting took a serious turn as members discussed numerous complaints regarding the new water and sewer billing system. Member Russell reported receiving multiple calls from constituents about billing discrepancies, particularly in the South Inglewood Sanitation District. City Manager Louis acknowledged the issues, stating that the rollout of the new billing system had not gone as planned, with significant problems arising from vendor errors. He emphasized the need for immediate solutions and confirmed that the city was actively working with the vendor to rectify the situation.

Director Van Rie and Deputy Director Stone provided an update on the utility billing project, explaining that the new system, which was intended to modernize billing processes, had encountered unexpected challenges. They noted that while the system was capturing data correctly, issues with how the information was displayed on bills had led to confusion among residents. The city has received an influx of calls from concerned customers, with staff working diligently to address these inquiries.

In response to the frustrations expressed by council members, the city is considering additional resources to improve customer service, including potentially hiring temporary staff to manage call volumes. The council emphasized the importance of maintaining trust and transparency with residents, urging staff to ensure that any billing issues are thoroughly investigated and resolved.

As the meeting concluded, members reiterated their commitment to improving communication and service delivery to the community, particularly as the city navigates the complexities of upgrading its utility systems.