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ChatGPTClaudePerplexity· Related development
Council directs staff toward billing relief and holding water rates at 2025/26 levels; action to come back for a vote
After NewGen's presentation, Councilmember Les Simpson proposed at least a 90-day interim relief program: suspending penalties, disconnections and fees on disputed bills, a temporary relief fund of perhaps $500,000 for usage that can't be explained, reviewing every account for tier credits rather than only those of customers who complained, and a weekly public accountability report. Mayor Cole Stanley summarized the council's direction: a customer with an unexplained spike could be placed in a dispute status with late fees waived, a free meter test, a payment based on average yearly use, a payment plan if needed, and no interruption of service until it is resolved; a fund to credit over-billings found by reviewing all accounts; and holding water rates at 2025/26 levels instead of the 11% increase adopted for 2026/27, while the 11% sewer increase takes effect November 1. No vote was taken; staff said it would bring an action item to the next meeting. On rates (item 5.2), NewGen said the rate study had been paused in May and its funding moved to the billing review, and recommended restarting it after the new year, with any further rate change in October 2027 at the earliest. City finance staff gave preliminary, unaudited 2025/26 water and sewer sales of $112.7 million, against $99.1 million in 2024/25 (the audited fund statement shows $99,174,553). Utility Billing Director Jennifer Gonzalez said bill-ready emails were working again, text and high-usage alerts might come by the new year, and budget billing in April 2027.[1][2][3]
Les SimpsonCole StanleyJennifer GonzalezNewGen Strategies and Solutions
