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Resident tells council his water meter readings and billing were incorrect; says attorney general intervened
Summary
Resident Jerry Kilgore told the Carlisle council his water bills showed erratic, apparently incorrect usage; he said city staff repeatedly attributed it to leaks or the satellite reader, that the attorney general's office contacted the mayor, and that his billing remained unresolved.
Resident Jerry Kilgore used his guest time to describe a long‑running dispute over his household water bills and meter readings.
Kilgore said his meter readings fluctuated dramatically after the city installed satellite meters and that city staff initially told him he had a leak. He said he proved to staff that he did not have a leak and that, after the city changed his meter, his usage fell while his neighbors’ usage increased. Kilgore said he repeatedly asked for a reread and for a credit and that he did not receive a straight answer from city staff: “I can't get even a straight answer, yes or no, on that question,” he told the council.
According to Kilgore, on Oct. 9 and later in follow‑up conversations the mayor and a water department staff member declined to resolve the issue; Kilgore said he later contacted the Arkansas attorney general’s office, which investigated and contacted the mayor. Kilgore said the city attorney then replied that Kilgore had not accounted for a rate increase; Kilgore said his complaint always concerned being overcharged for usage, not a rate change. He told council members his usage rose by 10,000 units for two months after the city attorney’s response and reported one meter reading instance where a meter appeared to roll backward.
Municipal‑services leadership acknowledged Kilgore’s comments and said the committee will do due diligence to review the data he provided and coordinate with staff and the water department; staff said they would attempt to provide an update before the next council meeting.
The council did not take formal action on Kilgore’s request at the meeting; members said the issue has been acknowledged and that they will follow up through the municipal‑services committee.
