Property owner disputes retroactive McClusky water charges; council to provide records

A resident sent a written statement asking the McClusky City Council to review retroactive utility charges linked to a property in town and to provide records showing how the charges were assessed.

The written statement, read into the record by staff, said the owner was billed about $244.70 for a water project special assessment and $3,133 for delinquent water charges and disputed all charges assessed before March 1, 2026. The author asked for copies of the city ordinance authorizing mandatory minimum billing, the billing history for the property, mailing addresses used for prior statements and any documentation showing if charges were certified to the property tax roll.

Staff told the council that multiple mailed notices to the property had been returned to sender and said there are three unpaid bills dating to 2021 that appear to predate the current owner; staff said those earlier balances may reflect the prior owner. Staff described the town’s minimum billing rule as a charge tied to the property regardless of whether service is active: “There’s a minimum because it’s there. It’s on the property,” staff said.

Council members agreed to provide the resident with the requested records so the owner can review billing history and statutory authority before any further action. Staff said they will furnish the ordinance text and billing history and will reconvene the matter if the resident contests the findings.

The council did not take a formal vote on debt forgiveness or account adjustment during the meeting; staff described next steps as supplying documents and awaiting the resident’s response.