07/09/2024
***UPDATE at end of post 7/13/24***
Not police related, but as a resident, I figured I'd pass on what I learned today.
I recently received my water bill from the City. I usually receive my bill in April and October. I was surprised that it was over $400.
This is the explanation: though my bill is due by April first, that bill represents water used from 8/1/23 to 1/31/24. So take your last water bill, divide by 6 and you get your rough monthly rate. I use the minimum, so for me it's $526.47/6 = 87.745. Then take that and multiply it by the number of months it's pro-rated. For me, it's five so 87.745 x 5 = 438.725 (they billed me 438.75 but I won't contact the 2 cents.
There are like 6 different zones in town. So my dates won't match yours. For people that got two bills, that's because your bill is probably due normally in June/December or May/November. You owe that amount then you'll have the prorated bill for the month or two before American Water took over.
Hope that helps save a trip to the City Offices. Once it was explained I understood. I believe they're going to send a notice out explaining it.
Oh. One more thing. I tried to create an American Water account but it says my account number is wrong. I'll get an answer to that on Saturday. My guess is that they don't have all of the City records loaded yet but I'll add a comment to this post with the answer from them.
*** Update: I couldn't create an account because my bill in the name of my address. They had to create a new account for me.
Bills will go out around July 25th. They bill monthly now, so the minimum should be about $88. I asked about what the minimum gallon usage was and he couldn't answer it.
You can pay online with a rip-off $1.95 surcharge for credit cards, mail, or in person at Wal*mart (which I was ready to argue about and make scene because who wants to go to stupid Pennsville to pay a bill) but you can pay at The Dollar General in Quinton or Family Dollar on 5th Street.
The rep said about 1/2 of the meters don't work. They're looking to replace them. They'll either use door hangers, call or knock on your door to schedule. Said it would be a minimal interruption.
For those of you with two bills, and confirm this with the city of course, but if you have two bills, one for say the $526 and the other for about $87 more ($615), they put the two bills together on that higher bill. So instead of sending out one bill of just what you owed, they sent out the 6 month bill that you owed and the pro-rated bill which includes the 6 month bill. It's confusing but you should only owe the one with the greater amount. Pay attention to the due dates. The 6 month bill ($526) is due sometime in the fall. That prorated amount ($87) is due in 2025. I would just pay the full amount and be done with it but if you're on a tight budget, I get it. Keep in mind you'll also be getting a bill from American Water every month for about $88 for the minimum unless your meter works.
Hope this isn't as confusing as the bills. Just trying to help.
- John
