LIVINGSTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — It’s been a whirlwind week for a Rockcastle County town after their water was turned off and then back on – just two days later.

LEX 18’s Kayleigh Randle has been following the story in Livingston for the past week, diving deep into the truth behind the bills.

Hundreds of residents, and even the daughter of a fellow mayor, wondered where the money went and why the bills weren’t paid.

“I saw that on TV I like to die. Only 89,000 showed up. I said I have the records. I said I have them,” explains Melissa Hahn, daughter of former Livingston Mayor Dwain King. “When I saw the bill came out, I was like uh-huh. I have the records and have filed public records all along. And then in March, it wasn’t even that big in March. He was only 77.”

Last week, LEX 18 said Mayor Sandi Singleton claimed that when she first took office in January 2023, the city’s water debt was $89,000.

“The 89,000 is actually the number they told us we owed. And we had an incident that happened in June, maybe this year, where under the last administration they pulled valves and put water in straight line in this,” describes Livingston Mayor Sandi. Singleton. “They came and fixed it. I got a bill from them for $19,000 that I think they added to that, I never got a solid number.”

According to statements provided by both Hahn and Mayor Singleton, a December 2022 statement for the January 2023 pay period showed $65,389.37 instead of $89,000.

Melissa Hahn, daughter of former Mayor Dwain King

Throughout 2023, all bills to the Woods Creek Water District have been submitted and paid, according to documents provided by Mayor Sandi Singleton.

In 2024, multiple statements and checks show that Singleton paid and sent checks to the Woods Creek Water District throughout the year through August. However, she claims she also paid for September and October.

Mayor Sandi Singleton with the City of Livingston

Mayor Sandi Singleton with the City of Livingston

By August, the $65,000 had grown to $86,970.71 and eventually $114,000. “But they owe $94,000 of a water bill, so $94,000 of that is a water bill and $19,000 of that is a utility bill,” Hahn explains.

“I applied for a grant to pay them in August, I contacted them and said, ‘Look I applied for a grant and it looks like we’re going to get it and we’re going to be able to pay you,’ and it looks like we’re going to have a better working relationship And she (the city official) got a response, she has the email and “sounds good to us.” and that’s the last I’ve heard from them,” Singleton says he reached out to Woods Creek several times for answers but has not heard back.

Woods Creek also alleged to Singleton that the city did not pay its bills from August and September. However, Singleton denies this, providing a check dated August written to Woods Creek.

Mayor Sandi Singleton with the City of Livingston

Mayor Sandi Singleton with the City of Livingston

“I don’t blame Woods Creek for wanting their money, and we did — the city owed them money. I knew there was a previous bill back when I took office. I knew – I didn’t know how much. We didn’t know when it was gone, but we continued to pay monthly as we were supposed to,” Singleton said.

Hahn says she did not receive a water bill for this month and was unable to pay her bill for this month. She says the city needs an upgraded sewer system, water lines and a water tower.

Hahn believes these upgrades will fix the city’s runoff and reduce its current debt problems. “The big problem for the city is these leaks. Everyone says “what are you doing with the 114,000?” These leaks are what kills this bill.

Singleton says the city sent the November check to the Woods Creek Water District. However, Woods Creek did not cash the check to allow the city to pay the bill. Singleton claims this has happened several times before and every time he calls Woods Creek about it, they get no answer.

According to Singleton, the city applied for a grant through KIA (Kentucky Infrastructure Authority) to pay off the debt. The KIA approved $57,000, paying off half of the city’s debt, leaving them now at $57,000. Singleton says the city was recently subpoenaed for an investigation into water payments. However, no foul play was found.

This is a statement sent to Mayor Singleton from KIA:

According to Singleton, the city hasn’t had an audit since 2009. Hahn says the city has an audit and plans to present it at the next meeting.