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Resident says vacant Picayune property was billed hundreds for sewage; council asks staff to investigate
Summary
At the Sept. 2 meeting, resident David Hughes told the council his vacant property at 103 K Street was charged large sewage bills despite no water use; city staff asked for contact information and agreed to investigate meter readings and billing records.
David Hughes told the Picayune City Council on Sept. 2 that his vacant property at 103 K Street was billed unexpectedly large sewage charges and asked the city to investigate.
Hughes said the building has been empty for about a year, yet he received a sewage bill for $384 and another for $184 in July. He told council staff the meter the city has been reading appears to be located about 30 feet away on another property's line and that the meter at the building's door "is not even in the system." "So why are they reading a meter 30 feet away from the building and charging for it when the meter right next to the door is not even in the system?" Hughes asked.
City Manager Harvey Miller (present at the meeting) asked Hughes to provide contact information and the city clerk's office said staff would investigate and follow up. Miller and other officials agreed to look into the automated meter-reading system and billing history.
Council members also discussed prior utility authority action to increase sewer rates about a year ago and noted constituents had made multiple similar complaints, prompting the board to direct staff to report back.
Next steps: staff will investigate the specific meter assignment and billing for 103 K Street and contact Hughes with findings.
