Jean Pickus, a Gilbert resident of two decades, is challenging a $15 charge on her water bill following the death of her husband, Kirby. The couple moved to the area, which is located approximately 11 miles northwest of Queen Creek, in 2004. After her husband, a retired Methodist minister, passed away, Pickus began transferring their shared financial accounts into her name.
While she noted that other companies offered dedicated survivor support teams, she encountered complications with the municipal water department. Pickus stated that she had to close her husband’s account and open a new one, yet his name remained on the new account number. She expressed frustration over the administrative process and the emotional difficulty of seeing her late spouse’s name on official documents.
The primary point of contention was a reactivation fee that appeared on her new bill. Pickus questioned the validity of the charge, noting that the water service at her residence had never been interrupted since 2004. She contacted multiple representatives at the water department but said they were unable to resolve the issue immediately.
After a reporter from AZFamily inquired about the situation, a town spokesperson confirmed that Pickus is the sole name on the account. The municipality waived the $15 fee and credited the amount to her new account. The spokesperson issued a statement expressing understanding of the severity of the situation and emphasizing the department’s commitment to supporting customers during difficult times.
The town also indicated that it is reviewing its procedures to prevent similar issues in the future. A spokesperson explained that the current system permits account transfers to secondary holders but acknowledged this may be a limitation. Staff are exploring potential solutions to ensure that account transfers do not trigger reactivation fees for other residents in comparable circumstances.
