Empathy List Archives

KR

Kay Robbins Wall

Tue, Oct 26, 2021 7:21 PM

Fellow Attorneys:
One of my cities has an Ordinance that calls for adjustment of water bill after leak is discovered. If homeowner or non-licensed persons make the repair, $20 may be deducted from the bill showing the usage due to leak.
If a licensed plumber obtains a permit from City Hall, before making repairs, and makes those repairs, a substantial percentage of the bill may be adjusted off the account.
I have one instance where licensed plumber did not get the proper permit from City Hall before making repairs. Over $l,000 was adjusted off the bill. It appears that administration made an honest mistake in making the adjustment, and did not follow the Ordinance to see that plumbing permit was obtained first. Private citizen is protesting the adjustment off that account.
How should I proceed to correct that problem?
Send account holder a corrected account balance, a copy of the Ordinance, and explain that water customer's plumber did not first obtain the required permit?And let the issue be between the water customer and his plumber? (His plumber does not have a local business address here, but works Statewide.)
Do your cities have such an Ordinance? How do you monitor to make sure citizens and plumbers know of the permit requirement?
Thanks so much,
Kay Wall918.689.7737 office

Fellow Attorneys: One of my cities has an Ordinance that calls for adjustment of water bill after leak is discovered. If homeowner or non-licensed persons make the repair, $20 may be deducted from the bill showing the usage due to leak. If a licensed plumber obtains a permit from City Hall, before making repairs, and makes those repairs, a substantial percentage of the bill may be adjusted off the account. I have one instance where licensed plumber did not get the proper permit from City Hall before making repairs. Over $l,000 was adjusted off the bill. It appears that administration made an honest mistake in making the adjustment, and did not follow the Ordinance to see that plumbing permit was obtained first. Private citizen is protesting the adjustment off that account. How should I proceed to correct that problem? Send account holder a corrected account balance, a copy of the Ordinance, and explain that water customer's plumber did not first obtain the required permit?And let the issue be between the water customer and his plumber? (His plumber does not have a local business address here, but works Statewide.) Do your cities have such an Ordinance? How do you monitor to make sure citizens and plumbers know of the permit requirement? Thanks so much, Kay Wall918.689.7737 office

R

rayvincent@coxinet.net

Tue, Oct 26, 2021 8:06 PM

If the leak is on customer’s line the city should not be making adjustments.
Ray

From: Kay Robbins Wall
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 2:21 PM
To: OAMA Luistserv
Subject: [Oama] adjustment of water bill

Fellow Attorneys:

One of my cities has an Ordinance that calls for adjustment of water bill after leak is discovered. If homeowner or non-licensed persons make the repair, $20 may be deducted from the bill showing the usage due to leak.

If a licensed plumber obtains a permit from City Hall, before making repairs, and makes those repairs, a substantial percentage of the bill may be adjusted off the account.

I have one instance where licensed plumber did not get the proper permit from City Hall before making repairs. Over $l,000 was adjusted off the bill. It appears that administration made an honest mistake in making the adjustment, and did not follow the Ordinance to see that plumbing permit was obtained first. Private citizen is protesting the adjustment off that account.

How should I proceed to correct that problem?

Send account holder a corrected account balance, a copy of the Ordinance, and explain that water customer's plumber did not first obtain the required permit?
And let the issue be between the water customer and his plumber? (His plumber does not have a local business address here, but works Statewide.)

Do your cities have such an Ordinance? How do you monitor to make sure citizens and plumbers know of the permit requirement?

Thanks so much,

Kay Wall
918.689.7737 office

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If the leak is on customer’s line the city should not be making adjustments. Ray From: Kay Robbins Wall Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 2:21 PM To: OAMA Luistserv Subject: [Oama] adjustment of water bill Fellow Attorneys: One of my cities has an Ordinance that calls for adjustment of water bill after leak is discovered. If homeowner or non-licensed persons make the repair, $20 may be deducted from the bill showing the usage due to leak. If a licensed plumber obtains a permit from City Hall, before making repairs, and makes those repairs, a substantial percentage of the bill may be adjusted off the account. I have one instance where licensed plumber did not get the proper permit from City Hall before making repairs. Over $l,000 was adjusted off the bill. It appears that administration made an honest mistake in making the adjustment, and did not follow the Ordinance to see that plumbing permit was obtained first. Private citizen is protesting the adjustment off that account. How should I proceed to correct that problem? Send account holder a corrected account balance, a copy of the Ordinance, and explain that water customer's plumber did not first obtain the required permit? And let the issue be between the water customer and his plumber? (His plumber does not have a local business address here, but works Statewide.) Do your cities have such an Ordinance? How do you monitor to make sure citizens and plumbers know of the permit requirement? Thanks so much, Kay Wall 918.689.7737 office -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Oama mailing list -- oama@lists.imla.org To unsubscribe send an email to oama-leave@lists.imla.org

MR

Mark Ramsey

Tue, Oct 26, 2021 8:33 PM

I think leaks on the “customer’s side” of the meter should be the responsibility of the customer and leaks on the “city’s side” of the meter should be the responsibility of the city. An ordinance saying a leak on the customer’s side will be entitled to a reduction in the bill is problematic. Why would anyone pay to have a leak fixed if they aren’t obligated for the bill? Regardless, you are required to obey the Ordinance, but no more.

Good Luck!

Mark H. Ramsey
For the Firm
Taylor, Foster, Mallett,
Downs, Ramsey & Russell, P.C.
P.O. Box 309
Claremore, OK 74018
918-343-4100
918-343-4900 fax
mramsey@soonerlaw.com mailto:apixley@soonerlaw.com
The information contained in this electronic mail transmission (including any accompanying attachments) is intended solely for its authorized recipient(s), and may be confidential and/or legally privileged. If you are not an intended recipient, or responsible for delivering some or all of this transmission to an intended recipient, you have received this transmission in error and are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from reading, copying, printing, distributing or disclosing any of the information contained in it. In that event, please contact us immediately by telephone (918) 343-4100 or by electronic mail at postmaster@soonerlaw.com mailto:postmaster@soonerlaw.com and delete the original and all copies of this transmission (including any attachments) without reading or saving in any manner. Thank you.

From: rayvincent@coxinet.net rayvincent@coxinet.net
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 3:06 PM
To: Kay Robbins Wall lkrw@sbcglobal.net; OAMA Luistserv oama@lists.imla.org
Subject: [Oama] Re: adjustment of water bill

If the leak is on customer’s line the city should not be making adjustments.
Ray

From: Kay Robbins Wall
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 2:21 PM
To: OAMA Luistserv
Subject: [Oama] adjustment of water bill

Fellow Attorneys:

One of my cities has an Ordinance that calls for adjustment of water bill after leak is discovered. If homeowner or non-licensed persons make the repair, $20 may be deducted from the bill showing the usage due to leak.

If a licensed plumber obtains a permit from City Hall, before making repairs, and makes those repairs, a substantial percentage of the bill may be adjusted off the account.

I have one instance where licensed plumber did not get the proper permit from City Hall before making repairs. Over $l,000 was adjusted off the bill. It appears that administration made an honest mistake in making the adjustment, and did not follow the Ordinance to see that plumbing permit was obtained first. Private citizen is protesting the adjustment off that account.

How should I proceed to correct that problem?

Send account holder a corrected account balance, a copy of the Ordinance, and explain that water customer's plumber did not first obtain the required permit?
And let the issue be between the water customer and his plumber? (His plumber does not have a local business address here, but works Statewide.)

Do your cities have such an Ordinance? How do you monitor to make sure citizens and plumbers know of the permit requirement?

Thanks so much,

Kay Wall
918.689.7737 office

--
Oama mailing list -- oama@lists.imla.org mailto:oama@lists.imla.org
To unsubscribe send an email to oama-leave@lists.imla.org mailto:oama-leave@lists.imla.org

I think leaks on the “customer’s side” of the meter should be the responsibility of the customer and leaks on the “city’s side” of the meter should be the responsibility of the city. An ordinance saying a leak on the customer’s side will be entitled to a reduction in the bill is problematic. Why would anyone pay to have a leak fixed if they aren’t obligated for the bill? Regardless, you are required to obey the Ordinance, but no more. Good Luck! Mark H. Ramsey For the Firm Taylor, Foster, Mallett, Downs, Ramsey & Russell, P.C. P.O. Box 309 Claremore, OK 74018 918-343-4100 918-343-4900 fax mramsey@soonerlaw.com<mailto:apixley@soonerlaw.com> The information contained in this electronic mail transmission (including any accompanying attachments) is intended solely for its authorized recipient(s), and may be confidential and/or legally privileged. If you are not an intended recipient, or responsible for delivering some or all of this transmission to an intended recipient, you have received this transmission in error and are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from reading, copying, printing, distributing or disclosing any of the information contained in it. In that event, please contact us immediately by telephone (918) 343-4100 or by electronic mail at postmaster@soonerlaw.com<mailto:postmaster@soonerlaw.com> and delete the original and all copies of this transmission (including any attachments) without reading or saving in any manner. Thank you. From: rayvincent@coxinet.net <rayvincent@coxinet.net> Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 3:06 PM To: Kay Robbins Wall <lkrw@sbcglobal.net>; OAMA Luistserv <oama@lists.imla.org> Subject: [Oama] Re: adjustment of water bill If the leak is on customer’s line the city should not be making adjustments. Ray From: Kay Robbins Wall Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 2:21 PM To: OAMA Luistserv Subject: [Oama] adjustment of water bill Fellow Attorneys: One of my cities has an Ordinance that calls for adjustment of water bill after leak is discovered. If homeowner or non-licensed persons make the repair, $20 may be deducted from the bill showing the usage due to leak. If a licensed plumber obtains a permit from City Hall, before making repairs, and makes those repairs, a substantial percentage of the bill may be adjusted off the account. I have one instance where licensed plumber did not get the proper permit from City Hall before making repairs. Over $l,000 was adjusted off the bill. It appears that administration made an honest mistake in making the adjustment, and did not follow the Ordinance to see that plumbing permit was obtained first. Private citizen is protesting the adjustment off that account. How should I proceed to correct that problem? Send account holder a corrected account balance, a copy of the Ordinance, and explain that water customer's plumber did not first obtain the required permit? And let the issue be between the water customer and his plumber? (His plumber does not have a local business address here, but works Statewide.) Do your cities have such an Ordinance? How do you monitor to make sure citizens and plumbers know of the permit requirement? Thanks so much, Kay Wall 918.689.7737 office ________________________________ -- Oama mailing list -- oama@lists.imla.org<mailto:oama@lists.imla.org> To unsubscribe send an email to oama-leave@lists.imla.org<mailto:oama-leave@lists.imla.org>

R

rayvincent@coxinet.net

Wed, Oct 27, 2021 6:35 PM

I agree Mark.
Ray

From: Mark Ramsey
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 3:33 PM
To: rayvincent@coxinet.net ; Kay Robbins Wall ; OAMA Luistserv
Subject: RE: [Oama] Re: adjustment of water bill

I think leaks on the “customer’s side” of the meter should be the responsibility of the customer and leaks on the “city’s side” of the meter should be the responsibility of the city. An ordinance saying a leak on the customer’s side will be entitled to a reduction in the bill is problematic. Why would anyone pay to have a leak fixed if they aren’t obligated for the bill? Regardless, you are required to obey the Ordinance, but no more.

Good Luck!

Mark H. Ramsey

For the Firm

Taylor, Foster, Mallett,

Downs, Ramsey & Russell, P.C.

P.O. Box 309

Claremore, OK 74018

918-343-4100

918-343-4900 fax

mramsey@soonerlaw.com

The information contained in this electronic mail transmission (including any accompanying attachments) is intended solely for its authorized recipient(s), and may be confidential and/or legally privileged. If you are not an intended recipient, or responsible for delivering some or all of this transmission to an intended recipient, you have received this transmission in error and are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from reading, copying, printing, distributing or disclosing any of the information contained in it. In that event, please contact us immediately by telephone (918) 343-4100 or by electronic mail at postmaster@soonerlaw.com and delete the original and all copies of this transmission (including any attachments) without reading or saving in any manner. Thank you.

From: rayvincent@coxinet.net rayvincent@coxinet.net
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 3:06 PM
To: Kay Robbins Wall lkrw@sbcglobal.net; OAMA Luistserv oama@lists.imla.org
Subject: [Oama] Re: adjustment of water bill

If the leak is on customer’s line the city should not be making adjustments.

Ray

From: Kay Robbins Wall

Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 2:21 PM

To: OAMA Luistserv

Subject: [Oama] adjustment of water bill

Fellow Attorneys:

One of my cities has an Ordinance that calls for adjustment of water bill after leak is discovered. If homeowner or non-licensed persons make the repair, $20 may be deducted from the bill showing the usage due to leak.

If a licensed plumber obtains a permit from City Hall, before making repairs, and makes those repairs, a substantial percentage of the bill may be adjusted off the account.

I have one instance where licensed plumber did not get the proper permit from City Hall before making repairs. Over $l,000 was adjusted off the bill. It appears that administration made an honest mistake in making the adjustment, and did not follow the Ordinance to see that plumbing permit was obtained first. Private citizen is protesting the adjustment off that account.

How should I proceed to correct that problem?

Send account holder a corrected account balance, a copy of the Ordinance, and explain that water customer's plumber did not first obtain the required permit?

And let the issue be between the water customer and his plumber? (His plumber does not have a local business address here, but works Statewide.)

Do your cities have such an Ordinance? How do you monitor to make sure citizens and plumbers know of the permit requirement?

Thanks so much,

Kay Wall

918.689.7737 office

--
Oama mailing list -- oama@lists.imla.org
To unsubscribe send an email to oama-leave@lists.imla.org

I agree Mark. Ray From: Mark Ramsey Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 3:33 PM To: rayvincent@coxinet.net ; Kay Robbins Wall ; OAMA Luistserv Subject: RE: [Oama] Re: adjustment of water bill I think leaks on the “customer’s side” of the meter should be the responsibility of the customer and leaks on the “city’s side” of the meter should be the responsibility of the city. An ordinance saying a leak on the customer’s side will be entitled to a reduction in the bill is problematic. Why would anyone pay to have a leak fixed if they aren’t obligated for the bill? Regardless, you are required to obey the Ordinance, but no more. Good Luck! Mark H. Ramsey For the Firm Taylor, Foster, Mallett, Downs, Ramsey & Russell, P.C. P.O. Box 309 Claremore, OK 74018 918-343-4100 918-343-4900 fax mramsey@soonerlaw.com The information contained in this electronic mail transmission (including any accompanying attachments) is intended solely for its authorized recipient(s), and may be confidential and/or legally privileged. If you are not an intended recipient, or responsible for delivering some or all of this transmission to an intended recipient, you have received this transmission in error and are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from reading, copying, printing, distributing or disclosing any of the information contained in it. In that event, please contact us immediately by telephone (918) 343-4100 or by electronic mail at postmaster@soonerlaw.com and delete the original and all copies of this transmission (including any attachments) without reading or saving in any manner. Thank you. From: rayvincent@coxinet.net <rayvincent@coxinet.net> Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 3:06 PM To: Kay Robbins Wall <lkrw@sbcglobal.net>; OAMA Luistserv <oama@lists.imla.org> Subject: [Oama] Re: adjustment of water bill If the leak is on customer’s line the city should not be making adjustments. Ray From: Kay Robbins Wall Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 2:21 PM To: OAMA Luistserv Subject: [Oama] adjustment of water bill Fellow Attorneys: One of my cities has an Ordinance that calls for adjustment of water bill after leak is discovered. If homeowner or non-licensed persons make the repair, $20 may be deducted from the bill showing the usage due to leak. If a licensed plumber obtains a permit from City Hall, before making repairs, and makes those repairs, a substantial percentage of the bill may be adjusted off the account. I have one instance where licensed plumber did not get the proper permit from City Hall before making repairs. Over $l,000 was adjusted off the bill. It appears that administration made an honest mistake in making the adjustment, and did not follow the Ordinance to see that plumbing permit was obtained first. Private citizen is protesting the adjustment off that account. How should I proceed to correct that problem? Send account holder a corrected account balance, a copy of the Ordinance, and explain that water customer's plumber did not first obtain the required permit? And let the issue be between the water customer and his plumber? (His plumber does not have a local business address here, but works Statewide.) Do your cities have such an Ordinance? How do you monitor to make sure citizens and plumbers know of the permit requirement? Thanks so much, Kay Wall 918.689.7737 office -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Oama mailing list -- oama@lists.imla.org To unsubscribe send an email to oama-leave@lists.imla.org

RK

Rick Knighton

Wed, Oct 27, 2021 7:12 PM

There are a number of cities that do not make a distinction between the water main and service lines when it comes to adjustments for leaks. Norman and OKC have ordinances that permit adjustments regardless of whether the leak is in a water main or a private service line.

This e-mail is the property of the City Attorney’s office, City of Norman, Oklahoma, and the information contained in this e-mail is protected by the attorney-client and/or the attorney work product privilege. It is intended only for the use of the individual named above and the privileges are not waived by virtue of this having been sent by e-mail. If the person actually receiving this message or any other reader of the message is not the named recipient or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the named recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution, or copying of the communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify us and return the original message.

From: rayvincent@coxinet.net rayvincent@coxinet.net
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2021 1:35 PM
To: Mark Ramsey MRamsey@soonerlaw.com; Kay Robbins Wall lkrw@sbcglobal.net; OAMA Luistserv oama@lists.imla.org
Subject: EXTERNAL EMAIL : [Oama] Re: adjustment of water bill

I agree Mark.
Ray

From: Mark Ramsey
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 3:33 PM
To: rayvincent@coxinet.net mailto:rayvincent@coxinet.net ; Kay Robbins Wall ; OAMA Luistserv
Subject: RE: [Oama] Re: adjustment of water bill

I think leaks on the “customer’s side” of the meter should be the responsibility of the customer and leaks on the “city’s side” of the meter should be the responsibility of the city. An ordinance saying a leak on the customer’s side will be entitled to a reduction in the bill is problematic. Why would anyone pay to have a leak fixed if they aren’t obligated for the bill? Regardless, you are required to obey the Ordinance, but no more.

Good Luck!

Mark H. Ramsey
For the Firm
Taylor, Foster, Mallett,
Downs, Ramsey & Russell, P.C.
P.O. Box 309
Claremore, OK 74018
918-343-4100
918-343-4900 fax
mramsey@soonerlaw.com mailto:mramsey@soonerlaw.com
The information contained in this electronic mail transmission (including any accompanying attachments) is intended solely for its authorized recipient(s), and may be confidential and/or legally privileged. If you are not an intended recipient, or responsible for delivering some or all of this transmission to an intended recipient, you have received this transmission in error and are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from reading, copying, printing, distributing or disclosing any of the information contained in it. In that event, please contact us immediately by telephone (918) 343-4100 or by electronic mail at postmaster@soonerlaw.com mailto:postmaster@soonerlaw.com and delete the original and all copies of this transmission (including any attachments) without reading or saving in any manner. Thank you.

From: rayvincent@coxinet.net mailto:rayvincent@coxinet.net <rayvincent@coxinet.net mailto:rayvincent@coxinet.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 3:06 PM
To: Kay Robbins Wall <lkrw@sbcglobal.net mailto:lkrw@sbcglobal.net>; OAMA Luistserv <oama@lists.imla.org mailto:oama@lists.imla.org>
Subject: [Oama] Re: adjustment of water bill

If the leak is on customer’s line the city should not be making adjustments.
Ray

From: Kay Robbins Wall
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 2:21 PM
To: OAMA Luistserv
Subject: [Oama] adjustment of water bill

Fellow Attorneys:

One of my cities has an Ordinance that calls for adjustment of water bill after leak is discovered. If homeowner or non-licensed persons make the repair, $20 may be deducted from the bill showing the usage due to leak.

If a licensed plumber obtains a permit from City Hall, before making repairs, and makes those repairs, a substantial percentage of the bill may be adjusted off the account.

I have one instance where licensed plumber did not get the proper permit from City Hall before making repairs. Over $l,000 was adjusted off the bill. It appears that administration made an honest mistake in making the adjustment, and did not follow the Ordinance to see that plumbing permit was obtained first. Private citizen is protesting the adjustment off that account.

How should I proceed to correct that problem?

Send account holder a corrected account balance, a copy of the Ordinance, and explain that water customer's plumber did not first obtain the required permit?
And let the issue be between the water customer and his plumber? (His plumber does not have a local business address here, but works Statewide.)

Do your cities have such an Ordinance? How do you monitor to make sure citizens and plumbers know of the permit requirement?

Thanks so much,

Kay Wall
918.689.7737 office

--
Oama mailing list -- oama@lists.imla.org mailto:oama@lists.imla.org
To unsubscribe send an email to oama-leave@lists.imla.org mailto:oama-leave@lists.imla.org

There are a number of cities that do not make a distinction between the water main and service lines when it comes to adjustments for leaks. Norman and OKC have ordinances that permit adjustments regardless of whether the leak is in a water main or a private service line. Rickey J. Knighton II | Assistant City Attorney | City of Norman 201 West Gray | P.O. Box 370 | Norman, Oklahoma 73070 ' 405.217.7700 | 6 405.366.5425 | • rick.knighton@normanok.gov<mailto:rick.knighton@normanok.gov> | þ www.normanok.gov<http://www.normanok.gov/> This e-mail is the property of the City Attorney’s office, City of Norman, Oklahoma, and the information contained in this e-mail is protected by the attorney-client and/or the attorney work product privilege. It is intended only for the use of the individual named above and the privileges are not waived by virtue of this having been sent by e-mail. If the person actually receiving this message or any other reader of the message is not the named recipient or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the named recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution, or copying of the communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify us and return the original message. From: rayvincent@coxinet.net <rayvincent@coxinet.net> Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2021 1:35 PM To: Mark Ramsey <MRamsey@soonerlaw.com>; Kay Robbins Wall <lkrw@sbcglobal.net>; OAMA Luistserv <oama@lists.imla.org> Subject: EXTERNAL EMAIL : [Oama] Re: adjustment of water bill I agree Mark. Ray From: Mark Ramsey Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 3:33 PM To: rayvincent@coxinet.net<mailto:rayvincent@coxinet.net> ; Kay Robbins Wall ; OAMA Luistserv Subject: RE: [Oama] Re: adjustment of water bill I think leaks on the “customer’s side” of the meter should be the responsibility of the customer and leaks on the “city’s side” of the meter should be the responsibility of the city. An ordinance saying a leak on the customer’s side will be entitled to a reduction in the bill is problematic. Why would anyone pay to have a leak fixed if they aren’t obligated for the bill? Regardless, you are required to obey the Ordinance, but no more. Good Luck! Mark H. Ramsey For the Firm Taylor, Foster, Mallett, Downs, Ramsey & Russell, P.C. P.O. Box 309 Claremore, OK 74018 918-343-4100 918-343-4900 fax mramsey@soonerlaw.com<mailto:mramsey@soonerlaw.com> The information contained in this electronic mail transmission (including any accompanying attachments) is intended solely for its authorized recipient(s), and may be confidential and/or legally privileged. If you are not an intended recipient, or responsible for delivering some or all of this transmission to an intended recipient, you have received this transmission in error and are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from reading, copying, printing, distributing or disclosing any of the information contained in it. In that event, please contact us immediately by telephone (918) 343-4100 or by electronic mail at postmaster@soonerlaw.com<mailto:postmaster@soonerlaw.com> and delete the original and all copies of this transmission (including any attachments) without reading or saving in any manner. Thank you. From: rayvincent@coxinet.net<mailto:rayvincent@coxinet.net> <rayvincent@coxinet.net<mailto:rayvincent@coxinet.net>> Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 3:06 PM To: Kay Robbins Wall <lkrw@sbcglobal.net<mailto:lkrw@sbcglobal.net>>; OAMA Luistserv <oama@lists.imla.org<mailto:oama@lists.imla.org>> Subject: [Oama] Re: adjustment of water bill If the leak is on customer’s line the city should not be making adjustments. Ray From: Kay Robbins Wall Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 2:21 PM To: OAMA Luistserv Subject: [Oama] adjustment of water bill Fellow Attorneys: One of my cities has an Ordinance that calls for adjustment of water bill after leak is discovered. If homeowner or non-licensed persons make the repair, $20 may be deducted from the bill showing the usage due to leak. If a licensed plumber obtains a permit from City Hall, before making repairs, and makes those repairs, a substantial percentage of the bill may be adjusted off the account. I have one instance where licensed plumber did not get the proper permit from City Hall before making repairs. Over $l,000 was adjusted off the bill. It appears that administration made an honest mistake in making the adjustment, and did not follow the Ordinance to see that plumbing permit was obtained first. Private citizen is protesting the adjustment off that account. How should I proceed to correct that problem? Send account holder a corrected account balance, a copy of the Ordinance, and explain that water customer's plumber did not first obtain the required permit? And let the issue be between the water customer and his plumber? (His plumber does not have a local business address here, but works Statewide.) Do your cities have such an Ordinance? How do you monitor to make sure citizens and plumbers know of the permit requirement? Thanks so much, Kay Wall 918.689.7737 office ________________________________ -- Oama mailing list -- oama@lists.imla.org<mailto:oama@lists.imla.org> To unsubscribe send an email to oama-leave@lists.imla.org<mailto:oama-leave@lists.imla.org>