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Council presses utility billing office on erratic statements; grants 90 days to clean nuisance property
Summary
Councilwoman Carol Frederick raised constituent complaints about sporadic zero-usage bills followed by large catch-up charges; CFO Katy Bujard said reports flag discrepancies and payment plans are available. Separately, the council granted a 90-day period to clean the nuisance property at 211 E. Hyacinth after a resident's plea.
Councilwoman Carol Frederick raised concerns Dec. 1 about constituents receiving utility statements that show no consumption for several months followed by a large bill covering prior months, and said customers were not receiving explanations from the utility billing department.
CFO Katy Bujard told the council that the utility department runs reports to flag accounts with significant differences and that payment plans are offered to customers in those situations. The minutes do not record further operational detail or a directive for additional staff reporting.
Separately, Henry Ledet appeared before the council on behalf of his sister, Barbara Derouen, who owns a property at 211 E. Hyacinth Street identified as a nuisance. After discussion, the council moved, seconded and unanimously carried to grant 90 days for cleanup of the property. The motion was moved by Councilwoman Flo Chatman and seconded by Councilman Jonas Fontenette.
