Resident tells council city crews damaged sewer line, others press budget and equity concerns

Tiffany Smith, who said she has lived on Overlook Drive in Akron’s 9th Ward for 21 years, told council she has been pursuing a sewer repair dispute with the city since February 2023. Smith alleged that city sewer staff and contractors "busted my sewer line" while jetting and digging, flooded her garage and basement, then failed to complete repairs. She told council she was told by staff she must use a city-selected contractor and pay $30,000 or face water shutoff; she said she possesses photos, texts and doorbell-camera footage documenting the damage.

The chair offered to have administration meet privately with Smith’s family; Councilwoman Jan Davis confirmed the family was in a conference room with the mayor and the deputy director of public service and said the administration would provide an update.

Other public commenters raised budget and equity concerns. Denine Pollard criticized spending concentrated downtown and urged reuse of vacant homes and job-training programs for youth. Harrington Hargrove cited multi-year budget figures and accused city leaders of neglecting predominantly Black neighborhoods harmed by past infrastructure projects. Acacia Reynolds criticized the "same tired status quo" in leadership and announced she and her husband plan to run for at-large seats in 2027.

Council members acknowledged the public comments and scheduled brief follow-up: administration staff met with Smith’s family during a recess and the council said it would provide an update after that meeting. The meeting record contains the allegations and the administration’s offer to meet but does not include a formal administrative response addressing liability, payment demands or the specific repairs Smith described.