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Petersburg homeowners flood city hall, still waiting for water bills

Posted at 7:49 PM, Feb 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-12 19:49:53-05

PETERSBURG, Va. -- There was a line of people waiting inside Petersburg City Hall Friday morning and a steady stream of residents heading into the building hoping to find out how much they owe the city after not receiving water and sewer bills for months.

Folks in line said they had come to find out how much they owe and pay their  bills.

Everyone in the line, including Yvonne Smith,  said they had not received a bill.

"Frustrated, yes I am, coming down here, taking my time to find out what my water bill is," she said outside city hall.

Others told similar stories of not getting a water bill in the mail since last year and instead going to the water department to get an estimated bill to pay.

Petersburg City Manager William Johnson told CBS 6 News on Wednesday that the water bills would be in residents' mail boxes the next day, but that doesn't appear to have happened.

However, homeowners did receive a bill in the mail from the city this week. Their personal property tax bill, which is due Feb. 29, is finally in the mail.

There was a delay getting the tax bills out the treasurer said because he didn't get the information from the commissioner of revenue on time.

The tax bill due date does meet Virginia State Code since residents do have a minimum of 14 days to pay before the bill is due.

After State of the City Address, Petersburg mayor offers "no comment" on water bill controversy.

After State of the City Address, Petersburg mayor offers "no comment" on water bill controversy.

The upcoming city council meeting Tuesday night is expected to draw dozens of concerned citizens, many who attended Thursday night's State of the City address by the mayor.

Some in the crowd were calling for the resignation of the city manager since the city is millions of dollars in debt.

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