Resident urges council to ease water-turnon fees and improve outreach; city staff offers payment-plan options

A longtime resident urged the Helena-West Helena City Council to address the impact of recent water and utility charges on fixed-income households and to improve resident outreach.

Roy Williams Sr. (public commenter) described being charged $230 to have water service turned on and said many neighbors on fixed incomes do not receive timely notice of rate changes or service policies. "I had to put up $230 to get that. I was not aware of that," Williams said during an extended public comment, adding he has paid for a trash container for decades and said he has not received service.

City attorney (speaker 4) explained that the section of the water ordinance titled "security deposits" requires a $150 deposit for homeowners and that the council can adopt a separate ordinance to allow formal payment-plan authority. "What the city can do is ... pass an ordinance to authorize a payment plan," the attorney said, describing typical terms other cities use (90 to 120 days).

The mayor said staff will improve outreach, town halls and online communications and will connect with Mr. Williams to investigate his specific billing and service concerns. He also said staff will ensure Mr. Williams receives a container if he was promised one.

Councilmembers asked staff to bring back draft payment-plan language and to clarify the ordinance details before considering enforcement measures for delinquent accounts. No formal action on utility rates or deposits was taken at the meeting; staff committed to follow up with Mr. Williams and to present payment-plan options at a later meeting.

Next steps: staff will contact Mr. Williams directly, verify his charge and, if necessary, return to council with corrective action or policy recommendations. The council also asked for a draft ordinance to authorize payment plans and to clarify the city's approach to shutoffs, late fees and customer notification.