NORTH COUNTY — A 14-month billing error affecting more than 24,000 water and wastewater accounts has triggered a sweeping correction plan in Escondido, with the City Council taking action on Sept. 17 to address millions in mischarges.
The city discovered $2.5 million in overcharges and $3 million in undercharges in 2024, stemming from incorrect data used in calculating wastewater rates. Mayor Dane White said a programming failure misapplied the city’s wastewater formula.
The City Council approved a plan to credit overbilled accounts and impose a $10 monthly repayment fee on underbilled accounts, effective January. The period in question was from July 2023 through September 2024.
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The council discussed the issue in September 2024, and action wasn’t taken until this year due to several factors, such as reviewing the legal implications, how to pursue under-billed accounts, ensuring fairness, updating the billing software, and developing flexible repayment plans …..
