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Council questions $16.50 monthly charge on locked meters; staff to review ordinance and options
Summary
Council members raised concerns that a $16.50 monthly inactive-meter fee remains charged to properties with locked meters; staff will check current ordinance, customer-notice procedures and possible fee or reconnection policy changes.
Leamington councilors discussed billing practices for properties that have water meters locked for nonpayment, debating whether the town should continue charging an inactive monthly fee when a meter is physically locked.
What the council heard: Members noted an account with an outstanding balance of roughly $3,000 where the meter had been locked and a notice posted; some council members said charging the monthly inactive fee while a meter is locked seemed inappropriate. A council member said the fee exists because ordinance language treats the meter as an inactive tap and because the customer had choices leading to the inactive status.
Next steps: The council asked staff to review the town's current ordinance and return with a proposal. One councilor said staff should examine whether collection and reconnection fees are in place and whether the town's notice requirements and reconnection process need adjustment. The item was tabled pending an ordinance review and staff recommendations.
Details raised in discussion:
- A council member said the town has a $16.50 monthly inactive fee for certain accounts and that the town also recently added a $25 fee every 30 days for overdue balances (to be implemented once ordinances are enacted).
- Staff said the town's current process requires an extensive notification sequence before locking a meter (typically after multiple notices/90 days), and that reconnection or collection options are available when property ownership or sale occurs.
No formal vote was recorded on changing the fee; councilors directed staff to return with ordinance language and options for formal consideration.
