Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Claim topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident says utility work damaged meter and home; seeks city help for repairs and bill relief
Summary
A resident testified that a city utility worker’s repair attempt blew a gasket, allegedly causing $13,000 in house damage and an inflated water bill; the resident said utility staff promised to work with him after damage remediation.
Melvin Jones of the Third District told Richmond City Council that a city utility worker who responded to a reported water-meter problem in October 2024 damaged his home and that he has since accumulated a large repair bill and an unusually high water charge.
Jones said he contacted the city’s utility department in October 2024 and that a technician, identified as Henry McCoy in his remarks, attempted a repair that failed when a gasket blew. Jones asserted the incident caused more than $13,000 in home damage and that he has been billed for over $3,000 in water charges that he said did not reflect his usage. He said city utilities told him staff would “work with you” once repairs were completed, but he sought more assistance and faster resolution.
Jones asked council to intervene because, he said, repeated outreach to his council representative and other staff had not solved the issue. In response, council members acknowledged the complaint and said utility staff had been in contact with the resident and that the administration would review the case and follow up with the resident directly.
