A Garden City resident who had complained to the city on more than one occasion over the past few years that his water and sewer charges seemed excessive will be getting a big fat refund soon.

On the recommendation of the city's grievance board, the Garden City Council voted Monday night to reimburse Michael Vargason $7,507.20 for over-charges. The excess charges were the result of a broken water meter, said Jim Krueger, city clerk / treasurer.

"Normally bad water meters do not read higher than what they should," Krueger told the council. Krueger told the Statesman Tuesday that the refund is for an almost four-year period from 2009 to 2012.

Krueger said the city replaced the water meter in the fall of 2012.

"I hope we apologized for dropping the ball because it sounds like we did," Councilwoman Kathleen Simko said at the council meeting. The first of two payments to Vargason will be made Friday, Krueger said.

Katy Moeller: 377-6413