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Resident questions backdated sewer charge; staff says meter recorded usage but readings weren’t reported
Summary
Brandon McFarland told council he was billed retroactively for sewer service because a final inspection that would have triggered meter readings did not occur; staff said the meter recorded usage from May 2021 and that utilities back‑calculated usage and charged sewer fees (with credits) for the unbilled period.
Brandon McFarland told the City Council on Oct. 6 he was surprised to receive a backdated sewer bill for service dating to May 2021. McFarland said the meter was installed as part of a sanitary sewer extension and that he did not have control over the final inspection that would have started regular utility billing.
Stephen Lang (utilities staff) explained that meters were installed but the final inspection to trigger Austin Utilities to begin monthly readings never occurred. "The meter sat there and continued ticking away measuring water usage," Lang said; staff used the recorded totals to back‑calculate sewage charges for the period and included credits for known pool‑fill volumes and other adjustments.
McFarland asked to meet with Mr. Lang to review the calculations and the inspection timeline. City staff recommended a one‑on‑one meeting to walk through the readings and credits; the council approved the backdated sewer assessment resolution as part of the consent series but encouraged staff and the resident to resolve outstanding questions in staff meetings.
Staff said the purpose of the backbilling was to collect sewer charges the homeowner would have owed had the final inspection and billing begun on schedule; no fines or penalties beyond the sewer charge calculation were applied, according to staff.
