by Neil Richard
The Service Authority Board of Directors began their meeting at 6:30pm.
There were no amendments to the Agenda.
Public Comment began with Kathy Marquis speaking about her recent billing issue. She said she and her husband moved to King George to escape the overcrowding in Waldorf. They both love the peace and quiet but said their builder didn't share the cost of water with them. They were shocked when they got their bill and wanted to express their concerns with being charged over $600 for two months of usage. Marquis said their usage didn't reflect their actual usage as they were nurturing a new lawn which must be maintained but wasn't warrantied by their builder. She said they either needed to water their lawn or pay to have it replaced. She said the sewage portion of their bill was twice as much as their water portion yet shouldn't be included. She said a separate meter for watering lawns instead of the current practice of using one meter for everything would be preferred. She also said that due to some discrepancies in the bill, she would like to see their meter tested to ensure it was working properly and suggested reviewing customer accounts as well. Marquis said she was aware of a rate increase for another ten percent every year for the next five years but never heard a hearing being publicized. She proposed that customers be notified on their bill about upcoming rate hearings. She closed by saying she loved her community and was committed to what it represents.
Sharon Miller was next to speak and echoed many of the same concerns. Miller said she chose King George County to be close to her children and grandchildren and was living on a fixed income. She said the builder told her the lawn and shrubs were not under warranty and she did her best to water them in an effort to keep them alive. She said she previously lived in Prince William County and was eager to get out of the northern Virginia area. Miller said her first water bill was $115 but her last bill was $428 for one person. She asked that the rates be shown on the bill with calculations. Miller asked how they could be charged for putting water in the ground instead of the sewer and felt something was very wrong somewhere. She said tearfully that she has come to the conclusion she may not be able to live here. After investing her life savings to be closer to her kids, she doesn't know how she can stay here with water bills like this.
The Service Authority Board of Directors began their meeting at 6:30pm.
There were no amendments to the Agenda.
Public Comment began with Kathy Marquis speaking about her recent billing issue. She said she and her husband moved to King George to escape the overcrowding in Waldorf. They both love the peace and quiet but said their builder didn't share the cost of water with them. They were shocked when they got their bill and wanted to express their concerns with being charged over $600 for two months of usage. Marquis said their usage didn't reflect their actual usage as they were nurturing a new lawn which must be maintained but wasn't warrantied by their builder. She said they either needed to water their lawn or pay to have it replaced. She said the sewage portion of their bill was twice as much as their water portion yet shouldn't be included. She said a separate meter for watering lawns instead of the current practice of using one meter for everything would be preferred. She also said that due to some discrepancies in the bill, she would like to see their meter tested to ensure it was working properly and suggested reviewing customer accounts as well. Marquis said she was aware of a rate increase for another ten percent every year for the next five years but never heard a hearing being publicized. She proposed that customers be notified on their bill about upcoming rate hearings. She closed by saying she loved her community and was committed to what it represents.
Sharon Miller was next to speak and echoed many of the same concerns. Miller said she chose King George County to be close to her children and grandchildren and was living on a fixed income. She said the builder told her the lawn and shrubs were not under warranty and she did her best to water them in an effort to keep them alive. She said she previously lived in Prince William County and was eager to get out of the northern Virginia area. Miller said her first water bill was $115 but her last bill was $428 for one person. She asked that the rates be shown on the bill with calculations. Miller asked how they could be charged for putting water in the ground instead of the sewer and felt something was very wrong somewhere. She said tearfully that she has come to the conclusion she may not be able to live here. After investing her life savings to be closer to her kids, she doesn't know how she can stay here with water bills like this.
