City of Auburn — Local services in Auburn

Auburn EXTORTS citizens! Aggressive and hostile utility workers! I am so disgusted with the city of Auburn I can’t even believe it. Auburn water/sewer extorts their customers. I moved into a new home and got notice via email 6 weeks later that I had a suspected water leak. We immediately jumped into action even though we hadn’t even gotten a bill yet- which I told the lady . I didn’t get my first water bill for the first month until several weeks after that. It was well over $700! This billing period ended 2 weeks before the notice about a leak. CLEARLY the water had been leaking from the time we moved in! How could we have known that! I had heard that you could get a bill forgiven in case of a leak so I was waiting for the next bill to see what it was. This Monday at 4pm I received an email saying they were going to shut off my water, which I didn’t see until the following day- of which I was at work and worked a 24hr shift. Knowing I hadn’t had the bill for more than a few weeks, I honestly thought it was a joke. This morning, I called utility billing and explained the situation and they wanted over $800 with fees- including a $50 “reconnect fee”. I said my water hadn’t been shut off and that I wasn’t going to pay that $50 fee! Things got hostile from there and despite me paying the $740+ bill, they still insisted they were going to shut my water off unless I paid them an additional $50 and tried sending someone out after I paid them $740!! Are you kidding me? Keep in mind, it’s only been 3 WEEKS since I received this bill (I realized today that I received it AFTER it’s due date with no post marking to prove they even sent it before then) and it’s still not even 30 days late and they are extorting me!! Not to mention this massive ridiculous bill in the first place!!! How did it take them 6 weeks to tell me it was leaking and then say “not our fault”.

On top of all of this, despite me not raising my voice and just trying to express frustration, the Second Lady I talked to (after asking for a supervisor) from utility billing was nasty and condescending and I believe she was deliberately trying to provoke me. The First Lady was 100% professional and should be the one who is the supervisor instead of the other way around. She told me it was “city code” that they aren’t responsible for the postal service and that I should have been calling and asking for my bill. She told me that I should have been calling about my missing bill. When I told her that it’s not unusual for billing to be a month or two behind and that I am a busy person who works a full time job, runs a farm and have kids and that’s not on my priority. She condescendingly told me that she has FOUR kids and manages to pay her bills on time. Basically kept trying to shame and scold me rather than listen and offer help. Gold star for you lady! I calmly explained to her in the beginning that I wasn’t trying to get out of $50, but that I was disputing this on principle and that I felt extorted and that it was wrong. That I didn’t feel it was right to pay for something that hadn’t happened.

Keep in mind, they seem to have my email address and I have received every email and promptly responded. Why did they wait until less than 24 hrs to send me an email saying the bill was past due and they were shutting it off? Could they not have emailed me sooner? Could they not have emailed me a bill? Why aren’t their bills postmarked to show when they actually send them? Can they prove that they sent the bill? When I asked questions like those, this lady was only deflective and instigating.

How does this effect the poor and low income? Do they hold water as ransom and extort someone who is less than 30 days behind after receiving a $700+ bill!!! How is this acceptable? How is this okay.

The utility department claimed that their fee is irreversible and refused to drop it and despite me paying $740 and being less than 30 days late (for a bill I never received on time), they are on a hell path to deprive my animals and family of water unless we pay their...

Great government. Great Community. Community involvement. Great place to live. Unfortunately, the city of Auburn does not have any real homeless outreach or referral to services or funding. They are employing folks in this department without any Services whatsoever. Social Services could be greatly enhanced and funded. Especially Funding for senior Services. Many seniors in this community in need of air conditioning and heating units, food banks, housing and car repairs, and regulations on rent increases on seniors. In living here for 20 years I have recognized there are numerous organizations catering to employing the disabled. Fantastic service. However, there aren't any noticeable other services afforded to the disabled here. Green River College could have more options for classes, certificate programs, undergraduate classes. Auburn Senior Center is fabulous and offers many options for classes, outings, get-togethers. Community involvement and special touches unique to Auburn. I love the artist wraps on the numerous utility pools. It adds A a community feel and artistic flare to the city. Also, the numerous art pieces and statutes on and around Auburn are fantastic. It seems they rotate at times and move to different locations but there are always attractions available around town. Best teriyaki for walk on 8th and Harvey, best burgers, cow and cod...

very unique but true story; I decided to sit down at the corner bench at the city Hall location on Main street to just enjoy the morning sun and i took my backpack off and forgot it there. I hopped on my bicycle and headed to work not knowing i left it until 15min later. I rode my bike back and it was gone. I contacted the police and they said to just report it so they can have record that its me. that was 10days ago. as of yesterday I recieve a phone call from Tamie (Exec Assnt to Mayor) and she said Rebecca we have your backpack and everything in it and i am bringing it to you :).

Mattress City Team and myself thank you for showing me and reminding me why I still love...