SOAP LAKE, Wash. (AP) — A report by the Washington State Auditor’s Office has found that the central Washington city of Soap Lake may have failed to collect as much as $515,000 in water and sewer accounts during the past five years.
The audit found that the city changed its utility rates in 2005, but did not update that information for some customers.
Mayor Wayne Hovde (HUHV-dee) told The Wenatchee World newspaper that he’s embarrassed by the audit, but stressed that there are no missing funds and no funds were misappropriated. He called it a billing mistake.
Hovde also says the city has had no revenue shortfalls in its water or sewer funds resulting from the error.
