Here's a list you don't want to be on: the city of Atlanta's list of their top 50 delinquent water accounts. The amounts owed are staggering.
Residential customers who stop by Atlanta City Hall to make their payments make up a small cluster of the city's accounts, but there are mega accounts out there with huge balances. They belong to governments, prison facilities, large housing complexes and beyond.
"At any one time, we have about 20,000 accounts that are delinquent give or take, depending what month you are in," said Atlanta Water Department chief Mike Geisler.
Geisler is trying to be more aggressive to collect the fees. He's released the list of the top 50 accounts, and here are a few of the highlights:
DeKalb County - $20 million Fulton County - $7 million various apartment and condo complexes – $10 million+ Los Amigos Tortilla - $215,000
A city of Atlanta official went to Los Amigos about the long overdue bill. They didn't cut off the water, but they issued a strong statement that something had to be done to get it paid. Management realized they can't make their tortillas without the water.
Geisler says Los Amigos agreed to a payment plan. As for the other long-standing governmental accounts, they will require some patience because of the magnitude of the amounts that are involved.
DeKalb County says there are errors in the city of Atlanta's billing, but they will work with the city to try and resolve the large amount. Fulton County officials had a meeting in January with the city in an effort to try and resolve their issues.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:24 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:24:30 GMT
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:10 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:10:38 GMT
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters.
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters during Sunday's downpour.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:00 PM EDT2013-05-19 18:00:39 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, telling graduates to take the power of their example-- as black men graduating from college-- and use it to improve people's lives.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:53:40 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday, marking the first time a sitting president has made a commencement address in Georgia since 1938. See photos from his visit to Atlanta here!
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:09 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:09:05 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
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