Resident questions sewer billing method after unusually high May charge

Chuck Lawson, a Crown Point resident, urged the council to reconsider how seasonal sewer charges are calculated after he received a $550 water bill for May with $304 attributed to sewer. Lawson said the city historically used the January–March average to calculate a summer sewer rate that keeps sewer charges "at a more reasonable level" when outdoor water use increases. "I'm just asking if they could reconsider going back to what they had before, which was May through October were considered to be the summer rates," Lawson said. Nut graf: The speaker asked the council to review whether the summer billing period and methodology should be restored or adjusted; the council did not take action on the item at the meeting. Details: Lawson said his May bill was unusually high compared with previous years and that a neighbor had a $700 bill after landscaping work. He said he received subsequent bills at lower rates after the summer schedule began, and he asked council members to consider reverting to prior summer-period billing rules or to explain the current approach. City response and next steps: Council members thanked him for speaking. No staff report, formal discussion or motion to change rates occurred during the meeting; Lawson said he did not expect the council to change water rates on the spot but asked for review or clarification. Action: No formal action, vote or staff directive was recorded regarding billing policy during the meeting.