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Resident accuses finance director of applying utility payment to fees without notice
Summary
During closing public comment, a resident identified as Connor accused Finance Director David Hammond of applying a customer's water payment to a fee for a meter/register issue without informing the customer; the resident said the city administrator handled a follow-up meeting professionally and called for improved customer protocols.
A resident who identified himself as Connor used the public-comment period to raise a formal complaint about the city’s handling of a utility-billing dispute, saying a payment intended for a monthly water and sewer bill was instead applied to a fee related to a water-register issue without notification.
Connor named Finance Director David Hammond in his remarks, saying, "David Hammond, the director of finance has taken it upon himself to directly oversee this matter" and criticized Hammond’s "complete lack of customer support and accountability." Connor added that he had met separately with City Administrator Sean Smith and described that interaction as professional in contrast.
The comment asked the council to review procedures and ensure better communication with ratepayers as the city grows. Mayor Sean Smith and staff acknowledged the concern and noted the administration would follow up, though the transcript does not record a formal staff response from the finance director during the meeting.
Connor's remarks were recorded for the public record; the council did not take immediate formal action during the Feb. 26 meeting but the matter appears to require staff follow-up to clarify billing protocols and account-handling communications.
