Port Arthur City Council voted to waive $188,286.62 in water charges for two commercial accounts assigned to Avery Trace Apartments at 4020 Highway 365, but only after the property owners agreed to conditions intended to protect residents and the city’s revenue stream.

The council’s action, made in open session after an executive-session discussion, requires the property owner to enter a 12‑month payment plan to address charges from Oct. 22, 2022 through Dec. 30, 2024 and to remain current on monthly water charges for the next 12 months.

Councilwoman Hamilton Everfield moved the measure, proposing the specific waiver amount and the conditions. The motion was seconded; the council then voted in favor. City officials said the waiver responds to documented leaks from Dec. 2022 through June 2023, but emphasized compliance terms to ensure residents are not left without service.

Everfield described the council’s reasoning sharply during the public portion of the discussion, saying the owners must not collect water payments from tenants and fail to pay the city: “It is immoral for you to have collected money from our residents for water payments … and you not pay your water bill.” She told the property owners the council would lock meters if the owners default on the new agreement.

Mayor and other council members echoed that position, noting that many residents in the complex had paid utility bills to the landlord and that the city must act to prevent further harm to tenants. Council members said the waiver is intended to protect residents’ immediate access to water while holding the owner accountable through the payment plan.

City staff and the city attorney will monitor compliance and follow up as needed. If the owners fail to follow the agreed plan, council members said they would pursue stronger enforcement including meter lock actions and notification of federal housing authorities.

The council did not provide a roll-call tally by name in the public record; the motion carried and the council instructed staff to document the payment plan and monitor monthly compliance.