County to issue utility refunds

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County is refunding three utility accounts for overpayments made regarding water usage over the last several months. 

The county’s vendor, Rocky View Utility Corporation, provides utility services within the various hamlets, and has been working with county staff to provide fixes to local utility accounts.

Resulting refunds are a result from an investigation of issues from the contractor. Corrective action, being the replacement of water use meters, has been taken to ensure accuracy for payments going forward, aiming to reduce these types of situations. 

“Along with regular maintenance and upkeep of utility customers, staff and vendors have been working on the backlog of water meters that have not been able to be read,” said Cory Adamson, general manager of corporate and financial services.

“Once resolved, we gain a proper reading on the use and bringing the accounts up to date. During some recent work, we have had three accounts show their use below the estimates and have refund requirements higher than $1,000.”

The county’s corporate policy states that any refunds which are over $1,000 are to be brought before council.

The Chief Administrative Officer is authorized to refund amounts less than $1,000. Summaries of those amounts refunded which are greater than $250 are to be presented before county council as well, as per the corporate and financial services policy. 

Total refund credits totalled $6,100.47 towards three utility accounts. These consisted of two accounts located in Gleichen, each totalling over $2,300, and one located in Speargrass, being $1,385.72.

These accounts had originally been charged based on estimates of water use, as there was no ability for staff to take proper readings. 

Once the meters were replaced, physical reads of the devices were able to be done and allowed administration to reconcile the difference in estimated versus actual volumes utilized.

Credits are calculated using the difference of volumes multiplied by current water/wastewater usage rates.

Regarding credit refunds, customers have the option to either be reimbursed directly, or have the designated amounts held on to their respective accounts to apply against future bills, pending council approval.

Adamson added the county is currently aware of approximately 50 water usage meters throughout the municipality which require replacing and are averaging service to between three and five meters per month.

A motion made by Coun. Scott Klassen to approve the refund of the overpayments was passed unanimously by council without debate.