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Sweetwater Authority approves Jamabed LP bill adjustment under prior policy
Summary
On March 3, 2025, the Sweetwater Authority Finance and Administration Committee voted unanimously to grant a customer water bill adjustment for Jamabed LP under the policy in effect when the customer filed the request, despite a later board change that would have reduced the credit.
The Sweetwater Authority Finance and Administration Committee voted unanimously on March 3, 2025, to apply a customer water bill adjustment for Jamabed LP under the policy that was in effect when the customer submitted the request.
The vote resolves a timing dispute: Jamabed filed its adjustment request before the board approved a revised adjustment policy that would have resulted in a smaller credit. The general manager told the committee the difference between applying the old and new policies was about $2,540, and that the adjustment amount exceeded the general manager’s $1,500 approval authority, so the item required board action.
General staff described the timeline: the customer submitted the request while the previous policy was in effect, the board adopted a new policy during the matter’s pendency, and staff suspended final action pending board guidance. The new policy charges disputed amounts at the tier 1 rate and narrows some credits; staff said applying the new policy would reduce the credit compared with the prior method of charging at the cost of producing the water.
Director Martinez said he wanted to avoid a potential legal claim and called it unfair to make the customer pay more because the request was held while policy changes were considered. “I think it would be unfair to make him pay more because we kinda held it up,” Director Martinez said.
The mayor moved to apply the adjustment under the prior (old) policy; Director Martinez seconded. The roll call was Director Martinez — aye; Director Morrison — aye; Director Yamani — aye. The motion carried unanimously.
Committee members discussed whether applying the old policy would affect the customer’s future eligibility for adjustments under the new policy’s rules (staff described the new policy as allowing a second adjustment only after 10 years). Staff did not record a separate direction to change the new policy or to provide additional guidance beyond approving the single adjustment under the prior policy; the committee approved the adjustment as presented.
