Council hears pleas over huge water bills as grassroots Operation 0 Out launches relief drive

Public commenters at the March 24 Jackson City Council meeting urged city action after residents reported unusually large and likely inaccurate water bills, and a local fundraiser launched to help elderly and disabled customers.

At the podium, Willie Lambley said his nearly 90-year-old mother received a $53,767.70 bill after not receiving statements since 2024 and that the household has no leaks. Lambley asked what the family should do and provided an address; a council member said staff would follow up from their office. Earlier, Shontay Wallace described separate personal legal concerns involving her son and an ongoing judicial complaint.

Council members connected the large-bill complaints to recent technological changes in meter reading. One council member said replacing human meter readers with automated systems has produced errors that can produce “$60,000” bills and said the city should find ways to avoid penalizing customers who pay but are receiving inaccurate charges.

Brad Franklin, speaking for Operation 0 Out Jackson Water Relief, described a grassroots fundraising campaign with a stated initial goal of $50,000 to zero out water bills for elderly and disabled residents. Franklin urged donations through Zeffy and said the group will work with Jackson Water to vet recipients and pay bills directly rather than handing funds to individuals. The council adopted a resolution thanking Operation 0 Out and partner organizations.

Separately, council members debated whether to authorize the city attorney to appeal a federal court decision that approved a 12% rate increase for Jackson Water customers. Several members argued alternatives to a large immediate rate increase, including restoring meter readers and pursuing accountability for nonpaying accounts. A motion to authorize an appeal lost its second and therefore died in open session; council then voted to move the matter into executive session for further legal discussion.

The council and administration also noted wider relief and accountability efforts: the city’s CAO said staff will bring recommendations about hiring a consultant to assess the utility and billing issues in detail, and community organizers said they would begin vetting aid recipients before paying bills.

The council did not adopt an immediate, binding relief program at the meeting beyond the resolution acknowledging Operation 0 Out; council members asked administration and legal staff to pursue options and report back. A follow-up item related to appeals and litigation was referred to executive session.