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Mayor and City Couucll <br />Page Two <br />October 13, 198.1 <br />I <br />October 5, 1983 - Meter Rending 2,431,540 verified by City <br />personnel <br />*Meter readings by City meter readers or City personnel. <br />When the meter was tested in early July, 1983, it was found to be <br />slightly in error by 3 to 3-1/2 percent which resulted in a $4.64 <br />dollar credit being Issued based on 235,000 gallons of water estimated <br />to have been consumed during the 1st and 2nd quarters of 1983. <br />The staff letter dated September 21, 1983 indicated that the city <br />could find no reason that the billings were in error if a 3 quarter <br />average was used. On October 31983, Mrs. Jarrett contacted the <br />Director of Public Works/Community Development and asked results of <br />3rd quarter 1983 reading. This prompted a second review of data since <br />the water consumtion was only 11.000 gallons for the quarter which is <br />usually the highest quarter for residential customer . <br />If the December 31, 1982 meter reading furnished by Mrs. Jarrett is <br />assumed correct (which 1s Mrs. Jarrett's contention), then the water <br />use for the 1st and 2nd quarters for 1983 would be 58,000 gallons, not <br />the 235,000 gallons billed. This would also mean that 4th quarter u� <br />for 1983 was 180,000 gallons which would be extremely high for a <br />residential user for the 4th quarter. This amount could only be <br />explained by a faulty water appliance, a continuously leaking faucet, <br />or a faulty meter. Testing of the meter and conversations with Mrs. <br />Jarrett have eliminated all of these reasons. <br />Mrs. Jarrett claims the December 31, 1982 meter reading was correct <br />and that the meter malfunctioned during the 4th quarter of 1982. <br />Mrs. Jarrett is requesting an adjustment in her water bill for the 4th <br />quarter of 1982. Mrs. Jarrett verbally indicated that an average <br />useage for the uncontested quarters, which is 29,500 gallons, would be <br />a reasonable amount. <br />RECOMMENDATION: Staff concludes the following: <br />1. There is no evidence proving the water meter malfunctioned. <br />2. 180,000 gallons is a very high amount of water useage for a 4th <br />quarter water bill. <br />3. CUrrLnt policy does not provide for staff to "adjust" water <br />bills if concrete facts do not exist to document adjustment <br />(such as a meter test). <br />4. "Adjustment" of water bills is cause for concern due to <br />precedent issues. <br />Staff If, therefore requesting direction and/or authorization to <br />resolve this claim. <br />