Property owners urge clearer rules on tenant water bill liability; council reiterates public‑comment protocol

Three residents used the Citizens to Address Council period on June 8 to urge clearer policy on how unpaid tenant water bills are handled and whether property owners should bear responsibility.

Resident Wade Crowder raised concerns about council responsibilities, the status of Nicks Lane, and the need for additional asphalt patching across town; he also asked how the Town addresses unpaid tenant water bills and expressed appreciation for staff. Property owner Glenn Hudson said he welcomed a recent meeting between landlords and Town staff but said he believes the relevant provisions of the Virginia Code are open to interpretation and can be unfair to property owners. Paul Duffer criticized what he described as limited council interaction during public comment and reiterated concerns about landlord obligations when tenants default on water bills.

Mayor W.M. "Mike" Moody responded that the Citizens to Address Council period is intended for council to listen and that policies— including time limits and restrictions on response—are in place to keep meetings efficient. Later in the meeting Vice Mayor Gavin Honeycutt thanked Mayor Moody for clarifying the policy and expressed concern that unpaid tenant water bills appear to be shifting toward taxpayers rather than property owners.

Council did not take formal action or vote on changes to the Town's billing or enforcement policy at this meeting. Staff materials note a recent meeting between landlords and Town staff, and the minutes record that staff and council members recognize the interpretation questions about state law; the council directed no immediate policy changes during the session.