Gallatin council approves $475.55 leak adjustment for 1610 Cairo Road after numbers dispute

The Gallatin City Council unanimously approved a water-leak adjustment for 1610 Cairo Road on Feb. 17, settling on $475.55 after debate over the correct calculation.

Vice Mayor Hayes introduced Resolution R2602-14, which authorized a leak adjustment for the residence. The item drew attention from a resident during public recognition earlier in the meeting, when Renee Saunders asked whether citizens could bring utility leak disputes to council and said she had been told her adjustment was not covered. The city’s packet included a proposed adjustment; during council discussion staff said that the originally presented number was incorrect.

Mister Kellogg said the correct “leak portion of the bill was $951.10,” and that he had drafted the resolution consistent with the council’s intent. After that figure was reported, a council member moved to apply 50% of the correct leak amount. After some arithmetic and an amendment to fix the dollar notation, the council adopted the amended resolution reducing the customer’s charge to $475.55. The council conducted a voice vote; the resolution passed unanimously.

The council advised residents that the city’s public-utilities portal can send daily usage alerts if customers enroll, and staff reiterated that notification settings can be adjusted by users to reduce the risk of long, unnoticed leaks. No further appeal process or additional payment conditions were stated on the record.

The council’s action is recorded in Resolution R2602-14; the measure was introduced by Vice Mayor Hayes and passed after motions and an amendment during the meeting.