Wheeler council adopts revised water‑billing adjustment ordinance

The Wheeler City Council on Aug. 20 adopted Ordinance 2024‑02, a revised policy governing how the city will handle customer requests for billing adjustments after inadvertent water leaks. The ordinance defines the application process, required documentation and allowable credit amounts and replaces Ordinance 2024‑01.

Finance Director Manny Chesnut told the council the version before them restores language omitted from an earlier draft and contains the ‘‘correct, language’’ to govern credits and staff authority. "This is the third time we're doing this, unfortunately, but this will be the last time," a city staff member said while introducing the ordinance. The ordinance text allows staff to approve billing adjustments of less than $200 without further council action; adjustments above $200 require council approval. Customers must request a credit within two billing cycles and submit evidence of the cause and repairs, including receipts, to qualify.

Councilors discussed procedural points and then moved to adopt the ordinance. A motion to adopt was made, seconded, and the council chair announced, "The ordinance 20 24 0 2 has been adopted." The ordinance repeals and replaces 2024‑01 and is recorded as the city's official water-billing adjustment policy going forward.

The council took no additional amendments at the meeting. Next procedural steps will be the city's filing and publication of the ordinance per local rules and application of the new policy to future adjustment requests.

Votes at a glance: Council moved and seconded adoption during the Aug. 20 meeting and the mayor announced adoption; the transcript does not show a roll‑call tally in the minutes provided.