The City of Booneville says a formula error caused a Booneville gas billing error that left residential and commercial natural gas customers underbilled for roughly a year and a half, and customers will now be asked to pay the difference. According to the Booneville Banner-Independent, the city released a statement explaining what went wrong and how it plans to fix it.
What Caused the Booneville Gas Billing Error
City officials said the problem surfaced during a recent audit. The city clerk spotted a potential billing mistake in the Gas Department and reported it to the city’s auditor. A review found that a former head of the Gas and Water Office had put a shortcut into the formula used to calculate gas rates. Incorrect information in that shortcut produced rates lower than what should have been charged.
The city says that employee is no longer with Booneville. The underbilling affected both residential and commercial customers and covers gas service from December 2024 through April 2026.
Why the City Can’t Simply Forgive the Difference
The mayor and Board of Aldermen asked the Mississippi Attorney General’s office for guidance. The office issued an opinion saying a utility debt may not be adjusted or forgiven when a customer has received the benefit of the utility service. Because of that opinion, the city hired an independent accountant for an additional review, and that review was consistent with the auditors’ findings.
What Customers Should Do
The city will send bills for the underbilled amounts owed for gas used during the affected period.
Customers who need a payment plan should contact the Gas and Water Office promptly after receiving their notice.
The accountant’s report, which details the error and its effect on each customer’s account, will be available for public review at Booneville City Hall.
The mayor and aldermen acknowledged that repayment may be a hardship for some households and businesses, and said the city will work with customers on arrangements.
Where to Get Help
Booneville Gas & Water Office: 200 N. College St., 662-728-6259
Booneville City Hall: 203 N. Main St., 662-728-5601, ext. 1
Prentiss County residents can find more local government coverage in our Northeast Mississippi news section.
Jon R Myers is the executive editor of Alcorn County News and the founder of the Mississippi News Group, which he started in 2013 to cover communities across North Mississippi. He also founded the Mississippi Sports Group in 2006, which grew from a single community publication into a statewide network covering high school and college athletics. He reports on local government, public safety, schools and community life in Corinth and Alcorn County, working from public meetings, agency records and interviews with the people involved. Contact him at editor@alcornnewsms.com with news tips or corrections. For a correction, include the article link and supporting source material.
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