'We all deserve some money back': Liberty Utilities hears from upset customers at Town Hall meeting
According to Forrest Gosset, Communications Director at Missouri PSC, the investigation was launched due to a significant number of Liberty customers expressing frustration over increased billing prices and a lack of communication from them.
'What the commission told our staff to do is go out, invest and report back to us what's going on, what you find. So, there's no preconceived notions about what we're going to find,' says Gosset, 'We just want to hear people talking tonight. It's really about the consumers being able to ask questions. The (Liberty) Utilities are going to be at the table.'
Customers were able to stand at the podium for 2 minutes each, asking questions and speaking directly to Liberty representatives.
'We all deserve some money back, a lot of money!' one woman stated before leaving the podium, which was met with applause from other customers.
City council approves funding for rental inspection pilot program
'I'm going to be honest here; you're billing process sucks,' said another man, which caused the room to erupt in laughter.
Heather Nickum said she and her family's bills had inaccurate amounts due to their billing, which has made them skyrocket in cost.
'There's been bills that have been tripled, quadrupled, and I call them to get help on that,' said Nickum. 'I get passed along. I get told, 'Oh, check your appliances, check this, check that.' No, it's not from our appliances.'
Charity Tweed is the City Manager for the City of Miller, who states that she and others are being taxed, even though the city is tax-exempt. When she tried to get answers about it, she claims there was little to no communication from Liberty.
'The problem was all the customer service representatives I talked to, including management, said they had no direct line to billing, no emails, no phone numbers,' said Tweed, 'They didn't even know who worked in those departments. Every single one of them I talked to.'
FEMA teams in the Ozarks survey Memorial Day storm damage
Kelli Price, the Communications Director for Liberty Utilities, says that they have been listening to their customers' concerns.
'We did implement some new systems and that did include a new billing system. And for some of our customers, it has been less than an ideal billing experience for that,' says Kelli, 'We do want to start first by just apologizing. Our customers do expect and quite frankly, deserve to have timely and accurate billing.'
Kelli states that 'all customers deserve a good billing experience,' and they are currently addressing the problems and are working to fix them for most people.
'We have been making steady progress. About 99% of our customers are being billed as they should, but we still do have some areas where we are still continuing to work, particularly for our customers who maybe have more complex billing,' Kelli says. 'But we are seeing improvements. So fewer calls to our call center, for example.'
According to Gosset, there are more town halls scheduled in the next few days, with one happening at Branson City Hall on June 11 starting at 12 p.m., as well as one in Ozark that same day and then in Joplin on June 12.
Missouri PSC also is holding Liberty's currently pending electric rate case during the week of July 21-25.
If you would like to make a comment regarding Liberty's customer service or billing issues, please visit the Missouri Public Service Commission Press Release and click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
Iowa City finalizes housing-focused revenue for proposed local option sales tax
Iowa City is asking residents to vote on a possible local option sales tax in November, producing revenue that will address the city's housing needs while funding additional road and sidewalk repairs. The vote is part of an area-wide push to establish a local option sales tax and provide additional budgetary flexibility in Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty. A simple majority of voters is needed to approve the ballot measure. If approved, the Iowa City's 1% tax will take effect on July 1, 2026. More: Coralville follows North Liberty's lead by drafting broad local option sales tax language Here's what to know: What does Iowa City's local option sales tax ballot language say? Iowa law requires 50% of local option sales tax revenue to be used for "property tax relief." Cities are free to use the remaining 50% in revenue as they see fit. Iowa City's ballot language reads: "The specific purposes for which the revenues shall otherwise be expended are: 25% to preserve existing affordable housing stock, increase shelter, transitional, and permanent housing supports, and increase access to and the supply of affordable housing for households with low incomes. 10% for maintenance and construction of public streets, sidewalks, trails, parks, and facilities as designated by City Council. 15% for community partnerships, including, but not limited to, partnerships that support intergovernmental, economic development, arts and culture, and social service priorities as designated by City Council." Does a local option sales tax apply to every purchase? No. "Life necessities" including groceries, rent or mortgages, utilities, vehicle purchases, gas, motels or hotels, prescription drugs and other health products would be exempt from the 1% surcharge. How much revenue would a sales tax create for Iowa City? City staff estimate that Iowa City generates between $800 million and $1 billion in eligible purchases each year, which would equate to between $8-10 million in revenue. Since state law requires the city to use half on property tax relief, the remaining 50% would equal $4-5 million. Iowa City's adopted Fiscal 2026 budget includes about $76.3 million in revenues, meaning the additional cash flow from a local option sales tax would add an estimated 5-6.5% to the city's budget. More: Prosecutors say ex-UI student would have killed woman, awaits attempted murder verdict Based on staff estimates, the sales tax would annually create an additional $2-2.5 million for housing, $1.2-1.5 million for community partnerships and $800,000 to $1 million for public infrastructure improvements. Iowa City City Council supports LOST with a bit of pause The seven-member Iowa City City Council unanimously approved the LOST ballot language despite a bit of concern. Mayor Pro Tempore Mazahir Salih and several of her colleagues acknowledged that the local option sales tax is "regressive," meaning it creates a greater burden for lower-income people. "I think this is going to affect the most vulnerable people in the community if we add the sales tax," Salih said, though she voted in favor of the proposed ballot language. "We cannot just tax the poor to fix property." Salih has been largely against the tax since it was first discussed in early summer. More: Regents encourage 'free flow of ideas' by removing references to DEI, CRT in new course policy Councilor Megan Alter referenced University of Iowa gamedays, festivals and other events that bring in large crowds from outside of Iowa City. "We will be able to benefit from outside dollars that will stay in our community," Alter said. Mayor Bruce Teague also said the council should "call it like it is," acknowledging the regressive nature of the tax, but referenced the city's "increasingly tight" budget as a possible concern. "It does have large benefits for the most vulnerable in our community," Teague said. "And let's face it, funding is being reduced all around and this is one way that we can help to keep the services that we currently have, as well as enhance opportunities for more services for those most in need." Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: What to know about Iowa City's local option sales tax propsal Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
a day ago
- Associated Press
Liberty Home Loans Offer Flexible Support as Housing Incentives Roll Out
With state governments investing billions in housing affordability, Liberty is helping more Australians take the next step with flexible home loan solutions. MELBOURNE, AU / ACCESS Newswire / August 11, 2025 / Prospective homebuyers across Australia have received a welcome boost, with several state and territory governments announcing new housing incentives in their annual budgets. The measures announced include shared equity schemes, low-deposit loans, and stamp duty concessions in some states. As housing affordability continues to evolve, non-bank lender Liberty remains focused on empowering Australians to achieve their homeownership goals. A leader in the Australian mortgage space, Liberty is ready to strengthen this momentum with a range of home loan solutions and by helping borrowers explore their options with greater confidence. 'At Liberty, we're here to help buyers with flexible lending options tailored to unique circumstances,' said Communications Manager Bernadine Pantarotto. Unlike traditional lenders, Liberty adopts a holistic approach to credit assessment, combining risk-based pricing with personalized customer service and greater choice. 'We know every homebuyer's journey is different, which is why Liberty takes a flexible approach to lending, offering support beyond traditional criteria,' explained Ms. Pantarotto. A tailored home loan could help Australians access the finance they need, regardless of smaller deposits, variable income sources or complex credit histories. Borrowers could also benefit from loan features like offset accounts, interest-only terms, redraw facilities, and higher LVRs. 'Our range of home loan solutions, including low doc and low deposit home loans, could help more people to accelerate their property plans,' Ms. Pantarotto said. These features complement Liberty's flexible lending options, designed to support free thinking borrowers. Whether it's a first home, a fresh start, or a long-term property investment, Liberty remains committed to helping more Australians get and stay financial. 'With nearly 30 years of experience, Liberty has proudly helped over 900,000 free thinkers make their dreams a reality,' said Ms. Pantarotto. Beyond home loans, Liberty's lending solutions can also support a range of life goals, from home upgrades and renovations to business ventures and unique travel plans. About Liberty As one of Australia's leading non-bank lenders, Liberty offers innovative solutions to support customers with greater choice. For nearly 30 years, this free-thinking approach to loan solutions has seen more than 900,000 customers across a wide range of home, car, business and personal loans, as well as SMSF lending and insurance. Liberty remains the only non-bank lender with an investment-grade credit rating offering custom and prime solutions to help more people get financial. Approved applicants only. Lending criteria apply. Fees and charges are payable. Liberty Financial Pty Ltd ACN 077 248 983 and Secure Funding Pty Ltd ABN 25 081 982 872 Australian Credit Licence 388133, together trading as Liberty Financial. Contact Laura Orchard Media Coordinator P: +61 3 8635 8888 E: [email protected] SOURCE: Liberty press release
Wall Street Journal
2 days ago
- Wall Street Journal
A Supreme Court Coup d'Etat in Brazil
Liberty in the Americas faces a degree of peril not seen since the Cold War. The biggest risk isn't, as it was in the 1970s and '80s, the sudden seizure of power by the military. Twenty-first century strongmen are copying Hugo Chávez, who consolidated his rule by seizing control of democratic institutions while he was popular and then put his opponents in jail or drove them into exile. El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has fashioned his own version of chavismo. He fired and replaced all members of the country's highest constitutional court in 2021. Due process, free speech and freedom of assembly are no more. Mr. Bukele now controls the electoral tribunal. In 2024 it certified congressional elections, although they were marred by irregularities and lacked transparency. Last month Congress, under a long shadow of doubt about its legitimacy, changed the constitution to allow indefinite presidential re-election. RIP Salvadoran democracy.
