2026-04-27 Virgil Fox water meters
LEWIS COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS
Utilities Division
To: Board of County Commissioners
From: Anders Pollman, Utilities Services Manager
Date: April 3, 2026
Subject: Resolution of Virgil Fox Water Meter Accounts (#40025 & #40026) Purpose To provide a summary of the circumstances surrounding two water meter accounts associated with Virgil Fox and to recommend a final resolution. Background In May 2021, two water service accounts (#40025 and #40026) were established following the discovery of two County-owned meters located on property associated with Mr. Fox. These meters were found in the field obscured and not actively in use. At the time of account creation, base charges were applied retroactively to June 25, 2020, corresponding with the County’s acquisition of the Middle Fork Water System. The accounts were established administratively without confirmation of water usage or a request for service from the property owner. Field notes from April 2021 indicate both meters were in the off position, and no water service was being delivered. Account History
• Accounts established: May 10, 2021
• Retroactive billing applied to: June 25, 2020
• September 22, 2021: Property owner requested meter removal
• Service call fee applied; work not completed due to non-payment
• Base charges and penalties continued to accrue bi-monthly
• July 22, 2025: Direction issued to remove meters Throughout this period, no water consumption occurred.
Property Owner Position In correspondence dated July 21, 2025, Mr. Fox states that he did not request the accounts, does not dispute the County’s ownership of the meters, and does not intend to pay the billed charges. He has expressed a desire for the matter to be resolved promptly and without escalation. Findings
• No water service was provided or utilized through either meter
• Accounts were established without confirmed customer authorization
• Charges consist solely of base rates, penalties, and administrative fees
• The County did not incur measurable cost to provide service
• Continued billing after a removal request contributed to unnecessary balance accumulation Recommendation Public Works, in coordination with the Utilities Division and Finance, recommends the following: 1. Write off all charges associated with Accounts #40025 and #40026 2. Adjust account balances to zero to reflect that no service was provided 3. Close both accounts permanently following meter removal 4. Treat this as an administrative correction, not a service-related loss Conclusion The accounts were established and billed in a manner inconsistent with actual service delivery. Given that no water was used and no cost was incurred by the County, writing off the charges and closing the accounts represents a reasonable, defensible, and efficient resolution. Sincerely, Anders Pollman Utilities Services Manager