Adventures With Bureaucracy
MINOT, N.D. — The other day, I found a notice from the City of Minot on my front door indicating that I had 24 hours to pay my water bill or they’d be turning off my service.
Needless to say, I was alarmed.
My water bill is the only bill I still receive in the mail. I’ve moved everything else to online billing. I checked my records. The last time I paid this particular bill was in March.
I was floored.
I couldn’t call the city immediately. I didn’t discover the note until after business hours. After a sleepless night — I can be a little crazy about paying bills on time — I found myself sitting at my desk waiting until 8 a.m., precisely, to call in and get my bill paid.
And also to figure out what happened, because there is no way I missed three straight water bills.
