Newspaper Page Text
LOCAL
THURSDAY, JUNE 14 - 20, 2018 • Page 13
Residents complain
of water billing issues
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County Watershed
Department has lowered the
number of “outrageously high”
bills over the course of a year,
according to statistics provided
by county officials.
During a meeting with
Watershed Customer Service
and Billing Advisory board
members, county officials
provided documentation
that “costly” water bills or
exceptions had decreased by 60
percent over a year period.
In April 2017, the county
mailed 33,871 bills with
exceptions out of 88,706 total
bills—more than one-third
of the bills had exceptions.
In April 2018, the county
mailed customers 16,584 bills
with exceptions out of 99,925
total bills—approximately 17
percent of bills had exceptions.
An exception is a bill which
is “considerably” higher than
a customer’s average monthly
consumption.
According to the county,
the number of exceptions
generated has decreased 60
percent over a 12-month
period. The county also stated
it has increased its staff and
training in the watershed
management department to
help resolve water billing issues
more efficiently
Despite reported progress
from watershed management,
some DeKalb County residents
are saying they are still
experiencing problems.
The Facebook group
Unbelievable DeKalb Bills
has grown to more than 3,000
members. Residents have
complained about receiving
water bills “700 percent” higher
than average consumption and
some report not receiving a bill
for months or years.
“Haven’t received a water
bill since moving to DeKalb. I
have called customer service
numerous times asking for
my bill and have been told
‘a statement hasn’t been
generated yet.’ We moved
in late last year and I’m not
sure what to do,” wrote Kerry
Barnett.
Another DeKalb resident,
Kim Stittsworth stated, “We
waited over 18 months before
we received our first bill and
we called regularly to check.”
Gaye Stathis, a former
member with the Watershed
Customer Service and Billing
Advisory Board, said she’s
disappointed with the ongoing
water billing problems
residents face.
“I think we’re dealing with
the same issues we dealt with
two years ago,” said Stathis.
“For every problem [the
county] solves, there seems
to be a new case and new
problems in addition to the old
problems.”
Stathis said she has spoken
with several residents who are
new to DeKalb County and
do not receive bills for their
address.
“Most of us on the advisory
board could not understand
why the head of the billing
department has no been
replaced,” Stathis said. “This is
absolutely frustrating and it’s
frustrating for the new people
moving to DeKalb and for the
people who have lived here.”
According to the county,
DeKalb CEO Michael
Thurmond’s number one
priority since entering office
has been issues regarding the
“water billing crisis.”
Your Billing Summary
Most recent payment - 09/16/2016 $ 190.28 CR
Balance Forward $ 154,332.90
Current Charges S 154,167.13 CR
Total Amount Due by 03/20/2018 $ 165.77
Current Water / Sewer Charges
$ 154.167.13CR
Water 3/4 Inch Meter Billed Bi-Monthly $ 64,103.72 CR
Other $ 5,71 CR
Other $ 13.77 CR
Other S 90,209.70 CR
Water 3/4 Inch Meter Billed Bi-Monthly
4,000 At $2.16 Per Thousand Gallons=$8 64
6,400 At $3.08 Per Thousand Gallons=$19.71
Water Ready-To-Serve Charge
Sewer Ready-To-Serve Charge
$ 28.35
$ 5.71
$ 13,77
Sewer Service - Based On; Water Service $ 117.94
Water Usage m Gallons
Meter Readings
300QC
£5000
20OO0
15000
i
METER NO 43370591
METER SIZE: W3/4
DAYS OF SERVICE 64
CURRENT READ - 02/22/18; 22839
PREVIOUS READ-12/20/17; 22735
TOTAL USAGE: 10,400
in in
Actual water bill from DeKalb County showing a current charges of $154,167.13.
CURRENT PROPOSED 2018 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
AND NOTICE TO SET MILLAGE RATE
All concerned citizens are invited to the Public Hearings on this tax increase to be held Wednesday, lune 27, 2018 at
10:00am, City Hall Council Rm, 3921 Church Street, Clarkston, GA 30021. A second Public Hearing will be held on lune
27, 2018 at 6:30pm at the City Hall Council Rm, 3921 Church Street, Clarkston, GA 30021.
A final Public Hearing will be held on July 5 at 7:00PM at the City Hall Council Rm, 3921 Church Street, Clarkston, GA
30021. The City Council will adopt the 2018 Millage rate at the July 5, 2018 meeting following the conclusion of the Public
Hearing.
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 17.50 mils, an increase of 2.026 mills. Without this tentative tax
increase, the millage rate will be no more than 15.474. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of
$ 100,000 is approximately $ 64.40. The proposed increase on non-homestead property with a fair market value of $
400,000 is approximately $ 257.60.
City Tax
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Real & Personal
58,592,799
64,881,851
107,610,419
146,214,537
$163,338,661.00
$167,835,046.00
Motor Vehicles
6,244,650
5,266,300
3,300,880
2,257,250
1,939,920.00
1,068,940.00
Mobile Homes
0
0
0
0
0
0
Timber - 100%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Heavy Duty Equipment
0
0
0
0
0
0
Gross Digest
64,837,449
70,148,151
110,911,299
148,471,787
$165,278,581.00
$168,903,986.00
Less M & O Exemptions
1,683,228
1,798,483
1,945,711
1,991,501
2,067,595.00
1,991,219.00
Net M & O Digest
63,154,221
68,349,668
108,965,588
146,480,286
$163,210,986.00
$166,912,767.00
Gross M & O Millage
17.950
17.950
17.110
17.110
15.89
15.89
Less Rollbacks
0.000
3.200
0.000
0.000
0.000
1.610
Net M & O Millage
17.950
21.150
17.110
17.110
15.89
17.50
Total County Taxes Levied
$1,133,618
$1,445,595
$1,864,401
$2,506,278
$2,593,423
$2,920,973
Net Taxes $ Increase
-$98,820
$311,977
$418,806
$641,876
$87,145
$327,551
Net Taxes % Increase
-8.02%
27.52%
28.97%
34.43%
3.48%
12.63%