MOUNT VERNON — Knox County Water/Wastewater Department customers recently received their first monthly statement after the county approved a measure that will bill customers monthly instead of quarterly. However, there were several suprises with the new bill for some including a higher rate and a billing cycle of only 21 days.
“It is a change, and changing from that quarterly to monthly billing, people have to get used to it,” said Knox County Board of Commissioners President Teresa Bemiller. “We’re hoping it is a good change and one that will make it easier for people who are falling behind to catch them sooner.”
Announcements for the change in billing were previously included in the billing statements as well as in the Consumer Confidence Report which had been sent to all customers, Bemiller said.
Over the weekend, several complaints were received by the News about the increase in rates and the three-week billing cycle.
“There was a mistake on that. The wastewater department sent out the monthly billing and it took in 21 or 22 days,” said Bemiller. “All of our customers will be getting a credit on their next bill.”
Starting this month, all bills will be for 30 days, according to Bemiller.
