Jerry Harper, plaintiff's attorney in the class action lawsuit against the city, talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about a judges ruling saying that Shreveport's water department has been overbilling for up to a decade.

Harper tells KEEL listeners that he hopes that a meeting with Mayor Adrian Perkins can iron out details of the settlement, one that he says could total "tens of millions of dollars." Harper added that he hopes that refunds to approximately 66,000 water users could be on the way by Christmas.

Harper also underlined that Shreveport's water and sewer department has a budget surplus of $45 million, an amount acquired, in part, to years of billing errors.

City Attorney Mekisha Creal commented on Judge Mike Pittman's ruming in a statement Monday:

“The City of Shreveport is carefully considering the ramifications of today’s ruling regarding the calculation of sewer quantity charges for residential customers. We want to ensure that Shreveport citizens are treated fairly, while avoiding disruptions to operations,” said City Attorney Creal. “Similar rules and ordinances are utilized in peer cities around the country, and have been in place in Shreveport for decades. No final financial judgment has been reached at this time. We are currently exploring the legal remedies available. The City of Shreveport remains committed to fair treatment and quality service.”

 

More From News Radio 710 KEEL