LIVINGSTON — A Sumter County Water Authority Board member is raising concerns about more than $1 million in unpaid garbage bills.
Eddie Jenkins addressed the Sumter County Commission about the issue. The Authority bills customers for both water and garbage, and bills show a breakdown of how much is due for water and how much is due for garbage. Jenkins said customers have been allowed to pay only their water bill, and he wants the county to make a change.
"We bill them basically every month," said Jenkins. "I think we do right now bill 2,655 customers. We had 960 people that had not paid their garbage bill."
Jenkins said unpaid garbage bills total $1,122,000, all owed to the County.
District 2 Commissioner Marcus Campbell said the commission appoints Water Authority board members and expects them to address the problem.
"We would hope you all, as board members, when you meet with the water board director, those types of things would be resolved," Campbell said. "Because you all, being a board … getting some compensation, that's one thing we would hope you all would do as a board, is to present to the director and go forward from there. Because that's in your roles and responsibilities as a board member. Those types of matters should be talked about and resolved."
Campbell said the current administrator has already instructed Water Authority employees to ensure both bills are paid. He said it is negligent for any employee to allow customers to pay only their water bill.
Jenkins told 1819 News that he wants the bills combined and mandated.
"That's where it needs to be," said Jenkins. "I went to other counties, I talked to people from other counties. I've seen people from other counties who said that, you know, you've got to pay your water bill and your garbage bill. You know, if you don't pay it, then it gets cut off."
The Commissioners are planning a meeting with the Water Authority to address the issue. The next Sumter County Water Authority Board meeting is on May 19.
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