As water meter project nears completion, Duncan residents share concerns about utility bills

DUNCAN, Okla. (KSWO) - "I'm going to be on the streets, and I've been a taxpayer my whole life and it's just not right," said Duncan resident, Dawn Holcomb.

One year after abnormally high utility bills began showing up in mailboxes across Duncan, citizens are still having issues.

Holcomb says she's seen an almost $100 jump in recent months.

"The water averaged around $50, in my last bill, it averaged around $165 and I don't even have an outside hose," she stated. "It's just me and my husband, no children in the house."

The city issued a statement that says in part:

"...when the city-wide meter project began in July 2023, the decision was made to offer extensions for payment of utilities to account holders..."

At that time, disconnects were also suspended.

However, delinquent accounts are now set to be shut off on October 16.

To avoid disconnect, residents have the option to pay half of their bill and stretch out the rest over the next three months.

Something residents who are already under mediation are worried about.

"You still have to pay on the mediation, $20, $100, whatever. Well, now, I've gotten it down to $440 and I'm still paying on it. I don't know what's going to happen in October," said Duncan resident, Mike Waggner.

Waggner says a water leak is being blamed for a $1,382 utility bill on October 3rd of last year.

After taking it to Facebook, some Duncan residents say they're still awaiting mediation.

Others say their charges and usage have doubled recently.

A few say they're leaving or have left the city altogether.

A new concern has arisen as some have begun being billed twice a month, something city officials say comes with the new meters, saying:

"For example, a billing area might have been billed the first week of this month, but as we are moving back to normal they could also be billed at the end of the month. This is a temporary transitional period."

To see more information on the October disconnect, you can find the PSA on their website here .