Residents of Middletown deserve accurate utility bills, full transparency, and fair treatment. After a cybersecurity incident shut down the city's billing system, residents are being charged estimated bills plus 25% extra, without any explanation of how those numbers were calculated or what our true usage actually is.

   We are calling on the City of Middletown to pause all water billing immediately until real meter data is restored and a transparent explanation is provided.

To The City of Middletown Administration, City Manager, and City Council:

We, the residents of Middletown, Ohio, respectfully request an immediate pause on all water billing until the city can provide:

Full transparency about the cybersecurity incident.

1. What systems failed?
2. What data was lost or stolen?
3. How billing information was impacted?
4. What recovery actions have been taken?

Accurate Meter Data.

1. Residents should not be billed for estimated usage based on last year.
2. Residents should not be billed an additional 25% to make up for months the city cannot accurately account for.
3. Residents should not be billed months of flat fee charges all at once.

These practices create undue financial stress and do not reflect actual usage.

An itemized breakdown of charges during the outage. We request a clear explanation of:

1. How estimates are being calculated?
2. Why 25% was added?
3. How back billing amounts will be verified?
4. How credits or adjustments will be handled once real meter data is restored?

A temporary freeze on water shutoffs until the city provides accurate billing, no resident should face shutoff or financial penalties for charges that may not be correct.

We are calling on the City of Middletown to:

1. Pause all water billing until accurate readings are available.
2. Release a public explanation regarding the cybersecurity incident.
3. Provide clear, itemized breakdowns of all estimated and back-billed charges.
4. Temporarily suspend water shutoffs.
5. Hold a public meeting specifically to address resident concerns.

Residents Deserve The Truth

We are signing this petition to ensure that Middletown residents are treated fairly and respectfully. Transparent billing is not optional, it is a fundamental responsibility of any public utility.

We Demand Transparency, Accuracy, and Accountability.

Please join us by signing and sharing this petition!