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Stonebridge HOA asks Depoe Bay council to reduce high water bill; council agrees to partial adjustment
Summary
A Stonebridge Homeowners Association representative asked the council to forgive excess charges after an underground irrigation leak inflated a water bill. Councilors debated precedent and city policy and approved a partial adjustment by voice vote.
A Stonebridge Homeowners Association representative asked the Depoe Bay City Council to reduce or forgive an unusually large water bill caused by an unseen underground irrigation line leak.
Gina Babb, identified in public comment as the Stonebridge board secretary and representative, described the leak and the association's efforts: "This is the only common area in the neighborhood that [uses] landscaping irrigation... The high usage water bill we received was made out of $1,102.47." She said the board had submitted the city's adjustment form but that city staff had denied the request because the city policy allows adjustments only on sewer charges and Stonebridge has a water-only account.
Councilors discussed fairness, precedent and the city's leak-adjustment policy. One councilor proposed forgiving the entire bill (the motion as stated in the meeting cited $2,019.22 for the bill); another councilor raised precedent concerns and suggested a case-by-case approach. After debate, a council member moved to amend the motion to forgive half of the excess charges. Staff noted they are working on a revised leak-adjustment policy that would clarify eligibility, place some burden on property owners for easily preventable situations (for example, an unattended hose), and create an appeal format.
The council took a voice vote; the meeting record shows the council went to discussion and the chair called for "all in favor" and "any opposed." The record does not include a roll-call tally of named votes, but following the discussion the chair closed the item and the council proceeded to the next agenda items. City staff said they had already denied an administrative adjustment and that the property owners had requested the council review; the council granted relief in principle via voice vote and directed staff to process the adjustment consistent with the motion.
The council also asked for a clearer written leak-adjustment policy to be brought forward for future consistency. Councilors said they preferred to handle such cases individually until formal policy language is in place.
Next steps: staff will apply the council's direction to the Stonebridge account consistent with the motion recorded at the meeting and will work on a revised leak-adjustment policy for council review.
