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Fort Smith board hears residents’ complaints about steep water bills; staff to produce data on high reads and rereads
Summary
Directors and residents described large, sudden water bills and shutoffs and pressed staff on meters, billing software and adjustments. City staff said rereads and leak adjustments are performed, will provide data on 300% high‑read triggers and work on safeguards; directors discussed a possible advisory group and meter replacement costs.
A lengthy officials‑forum exchange at the Fort Smith board meeting on Feb. 17 focused on high water bills, disconnections and whether meters or billing processes are producing erroneous charges.
Several directors and residents cited recent cases of unusually large bills, including examples in the thousands of dollars. Director George Gustavus and others asked why some customers had received very high bills and whether the city should pursue legal action against a meter manufacturer. Staff and utility managers responded that the city performs rereads and testing: when a read is 300 percent higher than the…
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