State auditor releases findings on Rocky Mount utility billings complaints
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- The state auditor released his findings after complaints that thousands of utility customers in Rocky Mount received two bills within a single month.
This became an issue late last year. Customers were concerned that they were improperly charged.
The City, though, claimed it had issued additional bills to correct ongoing delays between utility meter reading and billing dates.
The audit found that customers were not billed improperly. Still, the mayor acknowledged the challenge for customers.
"While the adjustments did not result in overbilling, the timing of those changes just before Christmas, combined with inadequate communication about what was happening, led to concern throughout our community," said Mayor Sandy Roberson Jr.
RELATED | Read the auditor's full report.
The state auditor's office released its recommendations to address the issue, including combining the meter reading and billing schedules, protecting them from unauthorized modification, and working to automate bill scheduling.
The audit also found, in response to allegations related to the City's utilities billing practices for elected officials, that City Council members Charles "Verb" Roberson and T.J. Walker "taking advantage of temporary measures to ease the impact of the bill schedule correction," accumulated $30,231.28 in unpaid utility bills while continuing to receive utility services.
'Our residents deserve transparent, accountable government that operates fairly and earns the public's trust," Roberson said. "I remain committed to advocating for those principles as we work together to rebuild confidence in our local government and move Rocky Mount forward.
"The public deserves to know that the same standards applied to every resident are also applied to those elected to serve them," the mayor continued. "Even more so. When significant balances remain unpaid for extended periods, it raises legitimate questions about oversight, consistency, and accountability."
In a late Wednesday afternoon statement, Rocky Mount City Manager Elton Daniels said:
"I appreciate the review conducted by the Office of the State Auditor, which confirmed customers were not improperly billed for utility services.
"The audit's conclusion validates what I, along with Business and Collections staff, have maintained throughout this process: customers were not double billed, overbilled, or charged for services that were not provided. Both metered and non-metered utility services were ultimately billed based on actual usage and applicable service charges.
"While this situation understandably created frustration and uncertainty for our citizens, the audit confirms that no systemic improper billing occurred.
"I appreciate the work of the Office of the State Auditor and value the recommendations provided through their review. We will continue implementing improvements that strengthen our operations while maintaining our commitment to transparency, accountability, and quality customer service."
