BESSEMER, Ala. (WBRC) – A Jefferson County woman says her water gets shut off several times a month at her Bessemer utilities, causing problems for her restaurant and catering business.
It all started in November 2021 when Bessemer Utilities chef Julia May was surprised by a $41,000 bill at Homestyle Kitchen.
When I saw the bill, I said, “Hey. Wait a minute,’ said Chef May. “”My question is: How did he get there before you came to get the money and why did he take the $41,000?”
May said the COVID-19 pandemic had put her on hold and she had missed a few payments, but the huge bill was a big surprise. She took her concerns to Jerry Yarborough, director of Bessemer Utilities. She said they discussed how to get the bill down.
After saving $6,500, she says she set up a payment plan of $2,000 a month.
“I’m paying on time, so I’m thinking, and they shut off my water,” May said. I’m like, ‘You can’t do anything without water. Why did the water disappear?’
The chef said this started happening in January and her water would be cut off 3-4 times a month and it was causing problems with her work.
“I had two catering jobs yesterday,” she added. “I couldn’t do it, so I had to return the money I didn’t have.”
As the problem persisted for several months, May decided to bring the problem to the city council. She says the mayor met with Yarborough and then met with him on Thursday.
“They came up with another solution,” she continued. “I have to pay $2,225 plus $2,000.”
May said this is when she was told the payments were made on the 30th of each month, something no one had told her before. She wants the utility company to remain consistent and keep its word.
May said: “I pray they hold up their end of the bargain from now on.”
WBRC FOX6 reached out to Bessemer Utilities on Friday, but did not receive a response as of Friday night.
Click here to access the WBRC FOX6 NEWS app
Sign up for our WBRC newsletter and receive the latest local news and weather directly to your email.
Copyright 2022 WBRC All rights reserved.
