Staunton council approves code changes to allow limited utility bill adjustments

On March 12 the Staunton City Council voted to amend city code to clarify and expand when staff may grant utility bill adjustments.

Miss Moyers, the city finance official, summarized three categories of changes: (1) allow one adjustment every 36 months for a high bill caused by a toilet leak if the customer shows the repair was done (adjustment limited to reduce the bill to two times average usage for water and sewer); (2) codify existing practice of adjusting sewer charges when a large, documented above‑ or below‑ground discharge (for example, draining a pool) occurs (minimum volume threshold ~5,000 gallons); and (3) permit an administrative vacant status so property owners who must keep water active for boilers are not forced to pay trash charges when there is no usage.

Councilors moved and seconded the proposed ordinances and the clerk called the roll. The motion carried by recorded vote; the transcript records unanimous consent in the roll call. Councilors asked a few clarifying questions during the presentation and staff said they would finalize ordinance language for the upcoming consent or ordinance calendar.

The code change gives staff a clearer process to assist customers who incur unexpectedly large bills while preserving limits to prevent abuse. The revised code will appear with other budget and code actions for formal adoption in the coming weeks.