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Resident raises dispute over 2021 water bill and says meter was obscured
Summary
Laurie Henderson told the council she found a $164.18 water bill from 2021 for her mother and provided photos showing the water meter had been covered, and she asked for the city to review the account and the meter reading process.
Laurie Henderson of Hammond addressed the City Council during public comment to report a billing discrepancy for her mother’s water account. Henderson said she obtained printouts of her mother’s bills and found a $164.18 charge from 2021 that she believes is incorrect. Henderson said she hired a plumber who dug up and uncovered the water meter and provided photos showing it was obscured, which she said would have prevented accurate readings.
Henderson said the earlier billing matter discussed at a previous meeting was resolved, but that the newly obtained printout revealed the $164.18 charge from 2021 and she asked to meet with city staff. A staff member responded, "I'll be happy to look at may I see your pictures?" and Henderson said she would make an appointment with Charles Boscher to review the photos and records. The council did not take formal action on the comment; staff indicated the administration can follow up on individual billing disputes outside the meeting record.
Henderson’s public comment focused on the record she provided and on the visibility of the meter that she said prevented accurate readings; she asked the administration to review the photographic evidence and the billing record for 2021.
