DeKalb committee hears residents' water-disconnection complaints, defers 'Water Customer Bill of Rights' for 30 days

DeKalb County commissioners on the Finance, Audit and Budget Committee deferred action for 30 days on a proposed DeKalb County Water Customer Bill of Rights after residents and advocates testified about service disconnections and limited outreach.

At a late-evening meeting, Commissioner Ted Terry reintroduced a redline version of the resolution and invited brief public comment. Resident Michael Mullins said he has been without water since March 2025, that county staff first told him the problem was a leak which others could not find, and that a meter removal in May left him disconnected. "Right now, I don't have no water. I can't see my kids or my grandkids," Mullins said.

Kat Maddox of DeKalb Water Watch told commissioners that multiple county representatives and private contractors were unable to find a leak before Mullins' disconnection and that he received "no notice either written or, verbal." Maddox said advocates first learned of the case in September and that Mullins had not been contacted about programs he may qualify for, including amnesty, the RAP program and the DeKalb repairs program.

A separate advocate described a long-running billing dispute that began in 2016, recounting a mediation process that required separate forms for each disputed bill, short notice from the county in December 2024 and later offers from revenue collection that she described as a lengthy six-and-a-half-year payment plan and incomplete written proposals. The advocate also said a finance department representative proposed a partial credit but that the resident's debt may now exceed the state statute of limitations for utility collection.

County CEO Zach Williams asked for 30 days to review the redline substitute and gather information with partners including the Urban League. Commissioner Terry said the intent of the resolution is to summarize already-adopted protections — including a shutoff-protections resolution and an amnesty resolution from August 2025 — so that residents can be quickly informed about options and appeals via a water bill, flyer or social post.

Commissioner Terry moved to defer the item to the March 24 Board of Commissioners meeting to allow administration and legal staff time to review and respond; Commissioner Shakira Johnson seconded and the motion carried on a voice vote.

The committee directed staff and administration to follow up with the affected residents and return with clarified language, notice procedures and information on eligibility for outreach programs.