Some residents with unexplainably high water fees will have to wait a bit longer to learn what, if any, adjustments will be made on their bills.
Pasco County commissioners first must decide how to amend existing rules regarding how the county issues credited refunds in cases involving a sudden spike in water usage that defies explanation.
The county’s water department has recommended that customers in these cases would receive credits of as much as 50 percent, as a one-time only adjustment.
But, some commissioners wanted to slash bills even more after hearing from upset customers at their Sept. 22 meeting.
Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells was ready to “zero out” at least one customer’s bill for more than $3,300. “We have an opportunity to do it right.”
However, Pasco County Attorney Jeffery Steinsnyder reminded commissioners that the county is banned from giving away the water it buys from Tampa Bay Water Authority.
Chairman Ted Schrader said the rules should be changed for all before granting relief in any one case. “You’re asking ratepayers to subsidize their bills,” he said.
Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano said the water department’s plan fell short.
“I’d like to see them brought down to what a normal bill would be,” Mariano said.
In the next weeks, county officials plan to set a public hearing for adopting a revised ordinance.
An audit by the county’s inspector general’s office recently reviewed more than 300 cases where customers were billed for higher than average water usages. They could qualify for refunds in cases of billing errors or leaks. But the county’s rules don’t cover the rare situations where the high water usage is a mystery.
Louise Gritmon, who received that bill for more than $3,300, would be satisfied with paying her usual amount of around $40 a month.
Under the water department’s recommendation, her bill would only be cut to about $1,600.
“I’m going to keep fighting this,” Gritmon said.
Ramona Nelson also challenged her bill for more than $562. Her monthly bills also run about $40, or slightly higher.
Nelson said there were no broken pipes or leaks, and no repairs needed at her home. “I want my money back,” Nelson said.
She has gotten a partial credit from the county, but still owes more than $360.
The county billed Gritmon and her husband in July 2014 for using 614,000 gallons of water over 18 days when their house was vacant.
Gritmon maintains no leaks were found, and engineers have told her it is impossible for that much water to flow through her water meter in that time frame. It would be the equivalent of consuming about 5 million plastic bottles of water, Gritmon told commissioners.
“I don’t disagree that it’s mind-boggling,” said Pasco County Utilities Director Bruce Kennedy after the commissioners’ meeting. But, he added, “I don’t know that there were any mistakes.”
He pointed to the audit’s findings that the county’s water meters were tested and found accurate. Kennedy also said he had to apply existing rules in determining refunds.
It was Gritmon’s complaint last year that prompted the eight-month audit.
While the audit found the meters worked properly, the report also found deficiencies in the county’s meter reading and billing procedures. There also were problems with software for a new automated system, inaccessible meters and inconsistent readings.
The audit looked at water bills issued between June 1, 2014, and April 15, 2015. Of 337 accounts reviewed by the county, 317, including Gritmon’s and Nelson’s, had from one to six bills that exceeded 120 percent of the annual average charge.
Following the commissioners’ meeting, Kennedy walked over to Gritmon and offered an apology for the drawn-out process.
Gritmon said she appreciated the gesture.
“Better late than never.”
Published September 30, 2015
