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Moore Haven council addresses resident's $900 water bill and recurring curbside/cleanup issues
Summary
A resident reported a $900 July water bill; staff said meter readings returned higher and will inspect the meter and may set a payment agreement if readings are verified. Public Works raised recurring issues about unreported extra pickups and property cleanup; council discussed a possible workshop on enforcement.
A Moore Haven resident raised a concern at the Aug. 20 meeting about a July water bill of $900.02 after he said he had turned the water off while on vacation. The resident, identified in the minutes as Citizen Osborn, said he checked the meter and it was not turning.
City Clerk Ashley Wills said the city performed a recheck and the reading returned higher; she advised Osborn to photograph the meter so the city can verify the numbers. Mayor Wayne Browning asked Public Works Superintendent Brad Simmons to visit the property the next day to inspect the meter and take a photo. Wills was authorized by the council to work out a payment agreement with Osborn if the meter reading is confirmed.
Separately, Simmons reported multiple recurring issues for Public Works, including a property cleanup near the Yacht Club involving land owned in part by the city and the county; PSI was scheduled to inspect solar panels on a pump station and evaluate lift-station equipment at the ball field and Training Center. Simmons said residents are not calling in extra household and horticulture pickups, which prevents the city from collecting those items; he said crews are tagging items but many are unclaimed and the city risks looking like a "junk yard." Council members agreed a workshop to review the ordinance and enforcement options may be needed.
Councilor Marcus Decker reported public-safety and code concerns including a camper parked on Ave R and junk vehicles and trailers on the alley behind the apartments; he said Officer Willis is willing to meet with the council to discuss enforcement. The meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m., with directions for staff to inspect the meter and follow up with the resident if readings are verified.
