Politics
Politics

Upset crowd confronts DeKalb government over high water bills

By Mark Niesse
Oct 7, 2016

For three hours, an angry crowd of DeKalb residents pressed county leaders to do something about absurd water bills that at times exceed $1,000.

They demanded answers and complained about extreme bills during a tense town meeting Thursday night.

Residents said they couldn't understand how their government could charge them so much for a basic necessity, and then fail to provide adequate explanations when residents called a customer service line.

DeKalb commissioners and government employees apologized and pledged to improve, but many homeowners said they lack confidence that the problem will be solved.

ExplorePlease read full coverage of the meeting on MyAJC.com.

About the Author

Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

Follow Mark Niesse on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Derrick Byrd (left) and Joseph Roundtree load food into a car during a giveaway at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Stonecrest. Gospel music played while volunteers sang, smiled and greeted each vehicle. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal

Volunteers provide food amid uncertainty over SNAP benefits

Advocates for the hungry across metro Atlanta told similar stories this week as the Trump administration prepared to freeze SNAP benefits amid a federal government shutdown.

OPINION

The most hated people in the latest AJC poll? Congress.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution latest polls show there’s one thing Georgians largely agree on, the very bad job they think Congress is doing.

Georgia Republicans in Congress weigh in on the shutdown’s effects

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been outspoken during the shutdown and willing to disagree with Republican leaders.

The Latest

Derrick Byrd (left) and Joseph Roundtree load food into a car during a giveaway at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Stonecrest. Gospel music played while volunteers sang, smiled and greeted each vehicle. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal

Volunteers provide food amid uncertainty over SNAP benefits

Georgia Republicans in Congress weigh in on the shutdown’s effects

OPINION

The most hated people in the latest AJC poll? Congress.

Featured

(Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC | Source: Getty, Unsplash)

Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC

MARTA and Beltline rail two big transportation items on mayor’s agenda

While reaffirming his commitment to building light rail along the Beltline, Mayor Dickens says the first segment should go where transportation needs are greatest: SW Atlanta.

Georgia women face geographic gaps in prenatal care

Fewer than half of Georgia's counties have a full-time OB-GYN, according to data analyzed by the AJC, and many women lack the time and money to make regular prenatal visits.

Ex-Stonecrest mayor accused of lying about prison time to run for City Council

Jason Lary, who spent more than two years in prison after he admitted pocketing COVID relief money, allegedly claimed he was not a convicted felon in pre-election paperwork.