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Council members press for stronger tools as apartment owners fall behind on water bills
Summary
Residents and council members told the committee that some apartment complexes collect tenants’ payments then fail to pay the water utility; the director of Water and Sewer said state law prevents the city from placing utility liens on buildings and staff are exploring AMI meters and other remedies.
Residents and council members told the Public Safety Committee that unpaid water bills by apartment complexes are harming tenants and shifting costs and service disruptions onto residents.
William Daniel, director of Water and Sewer, told the committee state law prevents the department from placing a utility lien on buildings, a limit that officials say allows some apartment owners to avoid paying accumulated water bills while residents continue to suffer service problems.
Council members and staff discussed several possible responses — shorter collection windows, tougher cut‑off policies against nonpaying complexes, installation of AMI water meters at the unit…
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