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Mount Vernon resident asks commission to review $1,800 water bill after hidden toilet leak
Summary
Patricia Henderson asked the Utilities Commission on June 5 to review an $1,800 water bill she says resulted from an unnoticed running toilet; the safety service director directed staff to gather records and pursue administrative relief before returning the item to the commission.
Patricia Henderson, a condo owner at 82 Fairway Drive, asked the Utilities Commission of the City of Mount Vernon on June 5 to review an $1,800 water bill she says resulted from an unnoticed running toilet.
Henderson told commissioners the problem began in December and that her regular bill is $58.78. "My normal bill is $58.78 and has been that on autopay for 4 years that I've lived in this condo. So when I get a bill of 1,800, I am not in Ohio," she said, adding that a plumber later installed a float valve in a basement toilet that she said had been running while she was unaware.
The request matters because Henderson asked for mitigation on a bill she said was far above her usual charges and that she could not prevent from autopaying on a holiday. The commission did not take formal action on the spot; instead staff were directed to gather records and determine what administrative remedies might apply.
During the June 5 meeting the city's safety service director spoke for the administration and outlined next steps. Without committing the commission to a decision, the director instructed staff to assemble the billing and correspondence history and to look for "first administrative tools" to assist the resident. "So we're gonna do those first. And then if there are other things that we feel like we can either do in addition to or do in lieu of that the commission has to take action on, those will have to be prepared separately and come back in July," the safety service director said.
Henderson said she had previously exchanged emails with city staff but did not have a copy of the February message she referenced. The director asked Henderson to provide a short written summary of her account and the staff member Robin was assigned to gather the city's records and contact Henderson with the administrative options.
The commission clarified that Henderson would not be required to reappear in person when the item returns to the commission but that it would be preferable if she could. "You will not have to. It's always better if you do," the safety service director said.
Discussion versus direction: commissioners did not vote or impose a credit or reduction at the meeting. The record shows discussion (Henderson's account and staff questions), administrative direction (staff were asked to collect records and explore administrative remedies), and a possible future formal action only if staff recommend it to the commission, at which point the commission could vote.
Clarifying details noted in the meeting: Henderson said her normal monthly bill is $58.78; she reported receiving a bill of $1,800 after an undetected toilet leak; a plumber visited in early January and installed a float valve; Henderson said she had exchanged email correspondence with staff in February but no copy was available to her during the meeting. Staff told Henderson to provide a written summary and said staff (Robin and the safety service office) would follow up and notify her of next steps.
Ending: Staff committed to follow up with Henderson and to return any matter that requires commission action at a future meeting, likely in July. The commission did not make a formal financial determination on June 5.
