BILLINGS — Patrick Sala’s city water bill in September came as a shock: The amount owed was more than double the price this summer.

“In July it was $80.71 and that billing period for the two months was $408.81,” Sala, who lives in Billings Heights, said Monday.

The 75-year-old lives alone and isn’t sure how he used the 58,000 gallons of water he was billed for. He is on a fixed income and would have to choose between eating or paying all the bills if he paid this bill all at once. Sala contacted the city with a few questions regarding his bill, one of which concerned how many gallons he used in August and September.

“The total for the two months is a little over 6,000. 6,595 gallons, which is nowhere near 58,000,” Sala said. “I myself recently discovered their errors and I have proof.”

The City of Billings Switched to New Billing Software This Summer.

MTN News also reached out to the City of Billings for clarification if more 60-day bills are now being sent out.

“There are a few older invoices that had exceptions that were delaying them and we are finally in the process of releasing those invoices, which results in two or three month invoices, but 99% of the invoices are 30 day invoices at the end of the year. ‘current time.’ said Victoria Hill, public information officer for the city of Billings, in an email response.

Related: Billing taxpayers in turmoil over high water bills

According to city officials, instead of being sent all at once, bills are sent in four different groups or cycles.

“60 day bills only for cycle 2 customers have been estimated. When consumption is estimated, the next bill automatically adjusts for any undercharged or overcharged consumption from the previous month,” Hill said.

The city plans to hire an independent auditor. Hill said the city found two “competent and qualified” companies and anticipated the city would soon enter into an engagement with one of them. The price is estimated between $30,000 and $50,000.

“I think what they should do personally is give their valued customers the opportunity to help them choose who will do the audit,” Sala said. “If I can be perfectly honest, I think someone, one of the Public Works officials, made some sort of serious mistake.”