City of Montgomery Minnesota, edward apodaca and lisa blaschko excessive water bill $1400.00 . No resolution Montgomery Minnesota

In Aug 2017 we received our July water bill it stated we used 53,296 gallons for the month the anount due was $1425.76 .  this is equal to over a year and a quarters worth of water.  When we contacted the city in person we were told we must have a leak, we assured them that was not the case.  The city told us that the would check the reader and get back to us.  after a month went by and we received our next water bill that included the amount above as well as late charges as high as our regular water bill we walked across the street to the city hall and asked what was going on and if the found a reason for the high water bill, we were told that they did not check into it and the problem was on our end we must have used the water (the water softener was running or toilet was leaking) We informed them that the toilets were replaced with new push button (no flappers) toilets and water efficent, the water heater was up graded to better and more efficent one.  the water hearter had been replaced. and new energy efficent washer all had been installed just before winter.  We wer told they dont make mistakes we own the bill. 

Lisa then contacted the mayor and he stopped by our house for a meeting to see what could be resolved, after stating our case to the major he suggested he would bring this matter in front of the city council, We were put on the agenda for later that month.  we stated our case to the council, asking how a 2 person house hold can go through that amount of water in a month without a leak.  We asked if the water readers could be off?  responce was no way possible!  we asked when they were last calibrated? never the dont need to be! We asked when the city downloads the water readers could there have been a computer glitch or error? 

responce was there id no possible way the could ever have an error or glitch in there system!  After stating our case to the council. the mayor skope up and asked for the bill ti be reduced to the amount of our regular amount (avereage bill $85 to 87 per month) and waive the late fees.  This was denied.  It was brought up that the city did have a one time forgivness program that was done away with in july that we could be eligible for.  The city manager brought up that we ere not elgible for this program because we didnit have a water leak and did not have a lic plumber come into our home and fix the problem. "How can you fix a leak when you dont have a leak" Just to put the usage in to perspective, you can fill approx 5 very large above ground pools plus.

In conclusion the city counsil decided to charge us the full amount of the bill, dismiss the late fees and intrest, put us on a affordabe payment plan, and not put the balance we owed towards our property tax bill at 18% intrest. On Nov 29th 2017 i we to the city to set up an affordable payment plan. i was asked how much we were going to pay each month, I stated we could do $40.00 per month, the billing clerk looked at me appalled and said it would take over 2 1/2 years to pay.  I was told affordable and stated that i will be paying almost 1/2 time more than our regular water bill.  we were made to sign and agreement called "Request for installament payment of delinquent utilty fees"  it states in this agreement that payment must be paid prior to 5:00 on the date it is due or utility service will be shut off, without further notice.  The first payment was demanded right there and then. 

We have just reveived our new water bill, looking at the bill it showes the outstanding amount due as well as our current charges and if not payed infull by 1/2/18 intrest will be charged.  To ad insult to injury we were featured front page on local paper "Mongomery messenger) 11/23/17 issue.  us and our water bill has been the talk of the town, and now it comes to light that tjher are many other people in our town that have had excessive water bills. not to our extreme.  We have contacted a lawyer and was told we have a case but he requires $5000.00 for the case and $3000.00 deposit.  this issue is very upsetting and its a matter of principal.  You always hear you cant fight city hall,  We are ready to put the gloves on and give it our best shot.  Thank you for yout time and hope you can help

Ed apodaca and lisa blaschko 

(((REDACTED)))

(((REDACTED)))