Bechtel: Accurate meters and supply cost increases, not errors, behind Macon water bill spikes

Chairman Gary Bechtel says new meters provide accurate readings, while Elaine Lucas renews calls for oversight and an audit.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As concerns grow over rising water bills in Macon-Bibb County, Macon Water Authority Chairman Gary Bechtel addressed the issue at a news conference on Thursday, saying new water meters are not to blame for higher rates but that they’re actually providing more accurate readings.

The news conference comes one week after board member Elaine Lucas called for a grand jury investigation into the authority, citing “irregular acts,” potential conflicts of interest and sudden internal policy changes.

Bechtel responded directly to residents who have blamed new meters for increases in their monthly bills.

“Meters only record usage of each customer, and once usage is recorded, residents are billed for that amount of usage,” he said. “Macon Water Authority over the past five to seven years has replaced over 50,000 residential meters, and many that have been replaced were in the ground for over 50 years.”

At a recent meeting, some customers claimed the new meters were recording inaccurate numbers, causing their bills to spike.

“The new meters that were installed are capable of recording usage more accurately than many of the meters that were replaced,” Bechtel added. “Any increase the customers are seeing from new meters are results of accurate recordings of their usage.”

He said a January rate increase was approved by the board to give the authority the ability to keep up with rising supply costs and that a rate study is planned to explore options for reducing costs for low-income and fixed-income residents.

“We will consider hopefully this summer that will stress water conservation, and in addition we will give consideration to those that are on fixed incomes and low-income residents to see decreases in their water and sewer bills,” he said.

Much of Thursday’s news conference centered around Lucas’ recent call for a grand jury investigation. Bechtel said her comments amounted to a direct accusation against the board and its leadership.

“This is a direct accusation against the management of the authority and myself as chairman, and at least four authority members who are with us today,” Bechtel said.

“Mrs. Lucas specifically asked that a grand jury be convened to investigate our vote in October of the past year to increase water and sewer rates,” he said. “In addition, Mrs. Lucas accused myself and MWA staff of discrimination against her and Mr. (Desmond) Brown.”

Bechtel also defended the authority’s financial practices, saying MWA is audited annually and that he brought along a copy of the 2023-24 audit for anyone who wished to take a look.

“Interestingly enough, Mrs. Lucas in the March meeting voted in the affirmative to accept the audit, so by that vote she has confirmed that the financial management of the authority is on the up and up,” he said.

Responding to Lucas’ prior criticism of authority purchasing cards, Bechtel said the use of those cards has been suspended until a formal policy is adopted.

“This is a direct accusation toward our President and CEO Ron Shipman, and today I would like to state—as well as I know four other authority members—that we support Mr. Shipman and his leadership 110%, and he will not need one of Mr. Trump’s pardons, as Mrs. Lucas stated at the April meeting,” he said. “The Macon Water Authority is fortunate to have a professional with integrity and the stature of Ron Shipman and gladly give him our full support.”

He also challenged Lucas to provide evidence of her allegations.

“If not, I ask that she conduct herself in our meetings with decorum and respect for the staff and the authority members,” he said.

Bechtel also pushed back on what he called baseless claims of racial discrimination.

“Lastly, Mrs. Lucas has accused myself and the staff of discriminating against her and Mr. Brown because they are African American,” he said. “That is ridiculous on its face.”

Lucas, who attended Thursday’s meeting, followed Bechtel’s remarks with a sharp response.

“It’s taxpayer’s money, and that is the point—that is what these folks fail to realize,” she said. “They never take into consideration that this is the people’s stuff. Y’all own this stuff and pay for it,” she said to those in attendance.

Lucas raised concerns last week about transparency and oversight, including whether large businesses are being billed properly and what she said was a sudden disappearance of a company purchasing policy.

“One month there was a purchasing policy, and now I’ve been told there isn’t a policy,” she said during an April 10 news conference.

She also said some commercial meters have not been replaced.

“I’m waiting to see when that will happen so we can accurately read the large business and the quality of water,” she said.

On Thursday, Lucas added to her call for oversight, saying Macon-Bibb Transit Authority should also be investigated.

“And since the Macon Transit came here and tried to strong intimidate me, which did not work, they need to be evaluated as well,” she said. “They’ll be the next ones we need to look at. Their goal is to jack up fares on the same poor citizens in Macon-Bibb County.”

She continues to push a petition urging a full audit of MWA operations and finances, saying residents deserve answers about why their water bills have increased.

41NBC previously reached out to other Macon Water Authority board members but did not hear back.