City officials are getting ready to feel the brunt of residents’ anger as gas bills are starting to arrive with higher bills caused by usage during Winter Storm Uri in mid-February.

In social media posts, Sealy residents are venting their frustrations over the city’s handling of the gas usage and now bills for that usage during the winter storm.

Sealy resident James Sloan said that most people are struggling financially and this certainly does not help things.

“I checked my bill after hearing about how the city got gouged by its suppliers and I was expecting the gas portion of my bill to be approximately 20 times what my January bill was. Luckily, February gas was only approximately $600 instead of the approximately $1,400 I was expecting,” Sloan said. “I still think this is wrong and illegal of the suppliers to gouge the city when state and federal officials declared (a) state of emergency and disaster declarations.”

Sealy resident Christine Williams said her usual gas bill is typically less than $100 and her gas bill for February is $694.

“I feel the city is responsible for what has happened to the residents of Sealy. After all that we have been through … busted pipes, no water, etc. then the city comes along and kicks us when we are down,” Williams said.

Williams referenced a comment made at a special meeting of the Sealy City council where Sealy City Attorney Timothy Kirwin said that the council is constitutionally prohibited from giving away anything for free as a municipality.

“They are saying they are not allowed to ‘give’ anything for free but I am not understanding how they can’t help its residents (in) some kind of way. Surely, they can offer some kind of relief besides a payment plan,” Williams said. “I am on a fixed income and a payment plan really isn’t an option. At this point, I feel the City of Sealy has let us down. (I am) very disappointed in them.”

At the last council meeting, there were discussions regarding conversations with state leadership to investigate all opportunities for reimbursement or assistance for Sealy residents.

Resident Mike Burkhart said the gas portion of his gas bill was $587 when his previous month’s bill was $64.

“I feel the leadership of Sealy dropped the ball by not having (a) fixed rate. They have been more concerned about dumb things like parking space downtown. Furthermore, if they had 2 million (dollars) available from the water portion, why did they have to raise our water rates so much last October?” Burkhart said. “Our leadership is very disappointing.”

Sealy resident Maryanna Ramirez said she was not hit as hard as other residents and plans on paying her bill but would like assurance that the city will return the overpayment.

“I feel very strongly that the City of Sealy should give the citizens of Sealy a contractual promise to return these overcharged funds to them should the city receive relief through legislation or any other means,” Ramirez said. “This is the right thing to do, considering the city is expecting a signed contract from those affected by the disaster.”

Ashley Preuss said that her gas and water bills are combined and usually total $150. Her February bill after the freeze was $769.

“It definitely does not feel good. It’s upsetting because we still have all of our other bills to pay and birthday parties coming up and this is putting a dent in that kind of stuff. It doesn’t feel fair for sure or even legal,” Preuss said.

Chad Anthony said that his usual gas bill is around $190 a month, while his February bill was $751.

“I’m told it’s because the city has no contract (with) the gas company, so they could charge anything they wanted when the demand went up. I’m feeling like I’ve been robbed. Now I’m in a payment plan to pay off this bill (I have) no choice or I lose my service,” Anthony said. “I’m a little (upset), to say the least.”