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Article
- Video Courtesy of Channel 25WPBF News
By Ted White
Published
August 18, 2015
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VIDEO
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WEST PALM BEACH -- Earlier this month, the city of
West Palm Beach sent a letter to Woodstock condominium owners, stating
the community's Homeowner's Association needs to pay the community's
water bill, which is long past due. The bill is nearly $62,000.
If the bill isn't paid, condo
dwellers could lose water by the end of September.
The 108-unit complex has two main water lines on the
property but no individual water meters.
Mildred Madison has lived in the Woodstock condominiums
for 18 years. She said she pays her water bill to the
HOA but is wondering where the money going.
"My biggest fear is I don't want to
lose my property," Madison said. "We have to pay $230
every month. I pay my $230." |
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Sarah Hudson said she owns two condos in the complex. She said the
reason why the water bills are so high is because the infrastructure is
very old.
"There's double water usage for every month," Hudson said.
City spokesman Elliot Cohen said
they've been dealing with the problem at Woodstock for
years. He said the city will have to take swift action by
next month.
"We obviously don't want to shut anybody's water off, but
with over $60,000 worth of outstanding water bills due from
the association, we're left with very little choice," Cohen
said.
Cohen said if the water is bill is not paid, the city will
turn the water off Sept. 25. |
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The HOA president Zandra Stevens said the issue began
last year when they had several major underground water breaks.
"The city refused to give us any credit on those water breaks. We are
paying the water bill, but the point is we can't pay the delinquency
that occurred when the water breaks happened," Stevens said.
Stevens also said that only about 60 percent of the condo owner are
paying their monthly HOA fees.
Condo owners said they have a dysfunctional HOA board, and there haven't
been meetings for years.
Gena Peterson moved in eight months ago and is already thinking about
moving her family.
"I mean, we can't stay here without water," Peterson said. "I spoke to
the owner and he said he's been paying his dues every month."
Condo owner Kenya Madison said there has to be a better way to deal with
the problem.
"I propose that we have individual meters, because that way, we're
responsible for our own water," Kenya Madison said.
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