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Resident tells council years of billing errors, late fees from Department of Public Utilities
Summary
A Second District resident said persistent errors by the Department of Public Utilities have left him with disputed charges and little remedy from city offices; he urged council oversight and accountability.
A Richmond resident told City Council on Monday that years of billing errors by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) have resulted in inaccurate invoices, repeated late fees and a disputed balance he says the department will not forgive.
Justin Cerny, who identified himself as a Second District resident, said that between 2022 and 2024 his monthly DPU bills fluctuated from about $407 to more than $1,100 on several occasions and that the city acknowledged $8,000 in errors but still left him with a disputed balance of more than $1,000. He told council he had spent “tens of hours” on calls and emails, that DPU repeatedly adjusted his account but continued collections actions, and that the city attorney and auditor told him there were limits to the assistance they could provide.
“Being here tonight is a culmination of much of my effort,” Cerny said. He asked council to use its oversight authority to demand accountability from DPU and to create protections so residents are not “buried under endless fees and bureaucracy.”
Council did not take immediate action on the complaint during the public comment time. Several council members acknowledged receipt of constituent concerns and said oversight and follow-up could be requested through their offices.
