Billings, Montana, utility fees $3.6M class action settlement

The city of Billings, Montana, agreed to a $3.6 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims it charged illegal franchise fees on water and other utility services. 

The settlement benefits individuals and entities who paid monthly water, wastewater and/or solid waste disposal charges to the city of Billings between Feb. 2, 2015, and June 30, 2018. 

According to the class action lawsuit against Billings, the city charged illegal franchise fees on monthly water, wastewater and solid waste disposal services. Plaintiffs in the case say these fees violated customers’ due process rights. 

The city offers utility services through its Public Works Department. 

Billings hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $3.6 million settlement to resolve the utility fees class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the settlement, consumers can receive a cash payment or rebate based on the fees they paid. Current customers will be offered a rebate on their monthly invoice while former customers will receive a proportional cash payment.

Any part of the settlement fund that remains unclaimed after payments are distributed will be split between the Access to Justice Organization and Billing’s Public Works Department. Money allocated to the city will be split as evenly as possible between the Billings Water Fund, Wastewater Fund and Solid Waste Disposal Fund.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Aug. 31, 2023.

The final approval hearing for the Billings franchise fees settlement is scheduled for Nov. 16, 2023.

Class members received mailed postcards identifying them as current customers, excluded current customers and eligible former customers, with each type of consumer required to take different actions. 

In order to receive settlement benefits, excluded current customers and eligible former customers must submit a valid claim form by Aug. 31, 2023. Current customers are not required to submit a claim.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals and entities who paid monthly water, wastewater and/or solid waste disposal charges to the city of Billings between Feb. 2, 2015, and June 30, 2018

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

08/31/2023

Case Name

Houser, et al. v. City of Billings, Case No. DV-18-0778, in the Montana 13th Judicial District Court for Yellowstone County

Final Hearing

11/16/2023

Settlement Website

CityOfBillingsFranchiseFeesSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Simpluris Class Administrator
PO Box 25199
Santa Ana, CA 92799
833-513-0862

Class Counsel

Matthew Monforton

Defense Counsel

Doug James
Bryce Burke
MOULTON BELLINGHAM PC