Sticker Shock and Grant Losses

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Over the last few years, the citizens of Lumberton have had to deal with water bill sticker shock. It seems that households of the same size would generally have the same bill month after month, but that's not the case in the City of Lumberton. For some reason, it's not unsual for a person to have a $33.90 water bill for almost a year and then out of the blue, they get a water bill for $217. The customer that experienced this said he felt like he was held up in a strong arm robbery. He said there were no leaks and everyone, including Bobby Gibson, said that they couldn't find any leaks on his property. First of all, when did Gibson start checking meters for water leaks? Despite numerous requests from citizens and recommendations by the city's auditor, this board has no plans for fixing WSOM. We thought things were going to change when Ben Barrett, Jr. took over, but he left the city hanging. . again. It seems that every resident of Lumberton needs to get checked for lead poisining because month after month we're getting pencil f****d! At the last board meeting, it was noted that the WSOM department is working on a week to week basis, but they still found a way to hand out one raise. Intersting. The lack of fudiciary responsibility led to city officicals to seek other avenues to help sustain the city's crumbling infrastructure. Unfortunately, that rural water grant that was going to serve as the city's life-perserver, was denied. It seems that the public hearing that was held to increase the water rate was never published in the newspaper. As a result, the City of Lumberton will not receive the $450,000 grant to help with the water department. Glenn Powell took responsibilty for the oversight, but that still does nothing for the city's finances. The city lost the grant because the public hearing wasn't published. So, what does that mean for the citizens. Those present for the public hearing were not pleased with the additional water rate increase but since the public hearing wasn't published does that mean the water rate increase is not legal? I don't know the answer, but I guess it's back to the drawing board and despite the concerns of the citizens, the board is going to have to have another public hearing and vote again on the water rate increase.

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