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Council declines to forgive $922.81 water charge for homeowner who reported post-purchase leak
Summary
Jonathan Gardner requested forgiveness of a $922.81 June water bill for a leak discovered after he purchased a property; council debated the absence of a forgiveness policy and a motion to forgive failed on a roll-call vote.
Jonathan Gardner told the council he bought a property May 19, 2025, and discovered a leak tied to the previous owner’s connection at 6675 E. 200 N. He submitted a written assistance form asking the council to forgive $922.81 in charges from June after the meter was located and the line disconnected.
Gardner said he inspected the property after purchase and believed the water had been turned off; he added, “I will not be using that water line in the future, so I do not expect any further issues.” Councilmembers discussed that Huntsville does not currently have a water-forgiveness policy and weighed buyer responsibility in rural properties. TCM Ahlstrom moved to approve forgiveness and TCM Johnson seconded, but the roll-call vote failed to carry; the motion did not pass.
Councilmember Artie Powell stated he would oppose forgiveness in the absence of an adopted policy; Powell said he had drafted a forgiveness policy and asked that the council include it on a future agenda for formal consideration. The council did not approve the requested forgiveness at the Aug. 7 meeting.
