st. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — St. Petersburg city leaders are scheduled to vote on a potential solution to unusually high water rates on Thursday.
Residents have expressed their dissatisfaction with the bill for several months and say they have been dealing with it for six months.
The residents of St. Petersburg want the meeting to bring some answers and relief to them.
Attorney and resident Matthew Weidner said for many, the city instead praises it to its accounts, rather than reimbursing it.
“People are doing well, and this is a punch to the gut. This is a punch to the sucker that the city is delivering to residents who can’t take it,” Matthew Weidner said.
The Council will vote for resolutions related to bill collection policies, utility bill relief, and ordinances that amend water charges for leaks.
Some residents feel that the solution alone is not enough and want to know why this happened and how it will be fixed.
“The resolution here does not find any approval that there is an internal problem with the city, whether it’s staff, computers, or the meter itself,” Weidner said.
According to the city, about 51% of those who apply for utility relief are currently undergoing adjustments to their bills.
Weidner said the credits in their accounts leave many people without the cash needed for other important expenses.
“I share a disturbing story about people, friends, colleagues, come to me and these outrageously high bills that keep food on the table for my kids.
Weidner said he would go to city council meetings every time until he receives a response.
“I’m asking the council to fully embrace the role of surveillance only once and ask harsh questions. They all represented the citizens, sat on that day and made a vow to protect the citizens. They’re not doing that now,” Weidner said.
8 reached into the city on Wednesday to get answers before the meeting.
As of Thursday morning, we had not received a response to the request.
The meeting will be held at City Hall at 1:30pm.
