From Councilmember Kymberly Pine, October 24, 2013
Just recently I was contacted by the family of a 90-year-old man who received a bill for over $7000 from the Board of Water Supply. His monthly bill is normally around $200. The Board of Water Supply made a mistake on his bill for the last six months and told him that he has to pay the amount or have his water shut off. I have heard numerous stories like his from other Oahu residents. This simply cannot be tolerated anymore.
Many of you have been the victim of the Board of Water Supply’s "recalculated" bills, or know a family member, neighbor or friend who has been affected by this unfair practice. I introduced Resolution 13-216 to ban so-called “back-billing,” but I need your help to tell the Board and the Council about how you have been affected by this unfair practice.
If you are one of the many Board of Water Supply customers who received water services and months later received a “recalculated” bill with back-billed charges, this may be your only chance to share your story and help me convince other Councilmembers that we need to take action and stop this unfair practice now!
On Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. a City Council committee will host a public hearing on my proposal to ban the Board of Water Supply from back-billing customers.
We can no longer allow the Board of Water Supply to unilaterally recalculate and back-bill customers for the Board of Water Supply’s mistakes.
Register online to speak at the hearing or send in your testimony by clicking on one of the links below or by emailing me directly atkmpine@honolulu.gov.
Please feel free to call my office at 768-5001 with any questions.
Mahalo,
Important travel information for those speaking in person at the hearing:
Please contact my office at 768-5001 or register online through this link to speak at the hearing.
The public hearing will be held in the City Council Committee Room on the 2nd floor of Honolulu Hale, located at 530 S. King Street, downtown Honolulu.
Metered parking is available at the Civic Center Parking structure ($1.50 per hour, two hour max, quarters or VISA/Mastercard only). Metered parking is also available on:
- Punchbowl Street
- King Street
- Kawaiahao Street
- South Street
- Richards Street
You can also click here to find more Honolulu Hale Parking options.