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Resident asks council to waive $20 returned‑check fee after account fraud disrupted water payment
Summary
During public comment, resident Debbie Seaton asked the council to waive a $20 fee assessed when a water payment from a checking account that had been compromised was returned; staff said policy is standard but will take the request to city manager/law department for review.
At the start of the April 1 work session public‑comment period, resident Debbie Seaton told the council that her checking account had been compromised and she was unable to complete a replacement water payment before the city deposited the first check. She said the bank closed the compromised account after she discovered fraudulent activity and that, although she delivered a replacement check on the next business day, the city had informed her a $20 returned‑check fee would be assessed.
Seaton asked council members to waive the fee, saying she had filed a claim with her bank and provided proof. Staff answered that the city applies a standard returned‑check policy and that staff could not unilaterally waive fees without city‑manager approval. Council members asked clarifying questions about whether the original check had already been deposited (staff said the water department had received notification from the bank the morning of April 1 that the account had been closed) and whether the bank offered any help; Seaton said the bank had provided documentation and she had opened a replacement account.
City staff said the policy is applied consistently and that situations such as deaths or fraud are handled case by case on managerial review. One council member suggested staff escalate the request to the city manager and law department; staff said the law department had received notification from the bank that morning and would review the matter.
Ending: The council did not vote; staff indicated the request would be taken to the city manager and law department for consideration and potential waiver under their existing authority.
