In a recent town council meeting, a significant discussion arose regarding the water billing practices for duplexes in Stevensville, particularly concerning the case of property owner Sharon Renfro. Renfro has been facing discrepancies in her water meter charges, stemming from a requirement imposed by town officials nearly two decades ago.

Renfro explained that when she constructed her duplexes in 2000, she was instructed by the building inspector and utility personnel to install four water meters—one for each family unit—to ensure that tenants could be billed separately for their water usage. However, upon attempting to set up accounts for her tenants, she was informed that the town would bill her directly for all utilities, negating the need for multiple meters. This led to her being charged four base rates on three-quarter inch lines, significantly increasing her costs compared to other duplexes in the area that were only charged one base rate on a larger one-inch line.

The council members expressed confusion over the inconsistent application of water meter requirements across different properties. Renfro highlighted that while she was told to install multiple meters, other similar properties were not subjected to the same rules, leading to an unfair financial burden on her.

After years of correspondence with town officials, Renfro recently received notice that her billing would revert to the original requirement of four base rates, despite previous agreements that had her paying for only two. This prompted her to seek a resolution from the council, asking for a vote to retroactively address the billing issue based on the agreements made in 2003 and 2004.

The council acknowledged the complexity of the situation and the need for a fair resolution. They discussed the implications of Renfro's case on other residents and the potential need for a standardized approach to water billing for duplexes and multi-family units in the town.

The meeting concluded with a motion to continue the current billing arrangement while the council deliberates on a more equitable solution. The council's decision will be crucial in determining how similar cases will be handled in the future, ensuring that all residents are treated fairly under the town's water billing policies.