Council grants $1,207.94 credit in sewer/water appeal and directs review of appeals process

The council adopted a resolution granting an appeal by Letha Matthews and approved a separate motion to advertise a review of the sewage and water board appeals process.

As read into the record by the clerk, "under state law, the council is the regulatory body for sewage and water board billing practices," and the clerk described the multi‑step appeal process that includes review by a firm selected by the council, an appeal to an arbiter selected by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor and the Orleans Parish Inspector General, and council review of the arbiter's decision. After review of the record, the council determined that "Ms. Matthews is entitled to the relief requested" and the resolution grants a total credit of $1,207.94. The resolution (R25‑5‑71) was adopted by recorded vote.

Separately, the council adopted Motion M25‑5‑76 directing the council's utilities regulatory office to issue and advertise a request to appoint an individual or firm to review sewage and water board appeals in accordance with council rule 42. The council suspended rules to receive and add the motion and then adopted it; the motion directs staff to begin procurement for a reviewer to handle future appeal reviews. Votes for these items were recorded on the floor as adopted; the clerk provided vote counts where available.