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Residents press Callaway for ditch repairs and sewer-billing reimbursements; commissioner denies alleged remark
Summary
During public comment, a resident described a hazardous drainage ditch on Sakoshi Drive and asked for a permanent fix; another resident requested reimbursement after being billed for sewer service while on a septic system since 2019; a separate commenter accused a commissioner of an insulting remark, which the commissioner denied at the meeting.
Multiple residents used the public-comment period at the Callaway commission meeting to press the city for action on longstanding neighborhood issues.
Kathy Christristadoo (identifying herself as chief for Sakoshi Drive) described repeated flooding and safety hazards in a large drainage ditch behind her property, saying the ditch now presents a risk to children and pets and recounting a recent injury: “We last month fell into the ditch and I sprained my ankle really badly. I actually passed out and my husband had to keep my head above the water because there's water in the ditch,” she said. Christristadoo asked the city for a permanent solution such as installing large culverts/covered pipes, removing trees, and otherwise securing the property so residents will not be at continued risk.
City staff acknowledged the ditch straddles Callaway and Bay County and committed to having staff review the situation and develop a plan of action; the commission asked the city manager to follow up and provide an email update to commissioners.
Sewer billing and septic systems: Billy Wheels said he moved to 726 Plantation Drive in November 2019 and only recently discovered his home is on a septic system; he said he has been billed for sewer service since 2019 and asked the city to reimburse those charges. Staff confirmed the property is on septic and explained the city's approach: properties with functioning septic systems are typically not forcibly connected until the septic fails, and connecting some properties requires a low-pressure grinder pump. Commissioners expressed support for auditing his account and authorized staff to negotiate reimbursement or credit options and to evaluate connection alternatives; staff said they would audit the account and follow up with the property owner.
Allegation and denial during comments: David Augustus raised a separate issue, recounting a conversation with a member of Congress about comments made at an earlier meeting. Augustus said a commissioner had previously suggested his education was inferior; the commissioner responded at the meeting by denying the assertion, calling it untrue and warning against making up false statements.
What comes next: Staff will audit the sewer account referenced by Wheels and return with options for reimbursement or connection (including grinder-pump costs and connection-fee waivers, if appropriate). The city manager was asked to email commissioners with a follow-up plan for the Sakoshi ditch complaint.
