Resident urges clearer Lifeline H2O notice after receiving 'past-due' bill; council seeks water-department briefing

During public comment on Feb. 18, resident Bettya Varner told the Budget, Finance & Audit committee she had enrolled in the city's Lifeline H2O affordability program and began paying the $34 monthly credit in February. She said she paid $34 on Feb. 2 and later received a March bill that listed a past-due balance. Varner said a water-department agent told her the excess amount above the $34 was being "frozen" and would be unfrozen in June 2026, at which point she would have to pay the full balance or enter a payment plan. She told the committee she had not received written notice explaining that process and asked the council to direct the water department to explain program operations to residents.

Chair (label 1) responded that staff would follow up and asked Mr. Washington (speaker 14) to arrange a water-department presentation on affordability programs; Mr. Washington confirmed the department will work to schedule that briefing. The chair also gave Ms. Varner a phone number ((313) 224-2151) and said his office could help obtain specific answers about her bill.

The committee did not take formal action on Lifeline H2O at the meeting. The chair said the water-revenue estimates presentation (Department of Treasury Water Revenue Estimates, scheduled at 1:15) would be brought back next week with all parties present so members could review revenue estimates and affordability programs together.

Follow-up: The chair asked the water department to present to the committee on affordability programs and invited Ms. Varner to contact the chair’s office for case-specific assistance.