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Resident raises billing concerns; staff and officer report on possibly reactivated meter
Summary
A public commenter told the Sedan council the city has not sought bids for CD renewals and raised questions about the animal-shelter contract; staff reported a Walnut Street meter showed water use despite an inactive account and police said using utilities on an inactive account could be theft of services.
During public comment at the Feb. 4 Sedan City Council meeting, public commenter Tim Hills said he was frustrated the city had not solicited bids for CD renewals and voiced concerns about the animal-shelter contract. City Clerk Lana Robinson gave the council an email from the animal shelter mentioning potential talks about a public meeting on the contract.
Staff member Raven Darnall told council members that an address on Walnut Street has had no active account since 2018; city crew previously secured the meter with a yellow zip tie that later broke and water was found on at the residence. The city crew has since locked out the meter while staff look up actual usage since 2018.
Police Officer Devin Lumley advised the council that using utility service on an inactive account can constitute theft of services under applicable law. The council did not take formal action on the meter or the animal-shelter contract during the meeting; staff said they would research usage and the shelter provided an email to the council for follow-up.
The council scheduled a special meeting for Feb. 6 to interview candidates for the public works superintendent position; that meeting may address related operational questions but no further direction was recorded Feb. 4.
