Cyberattack Fallout Continues to Plague the Town as Utility Billing Issues Persist

Apex leaders are currently under scrutiny as residents raise concerns regarding the town's transparency over continuing utility billing issues, lingering months after a cyberattack in 2024. The cyberattack had crippled the town’s network, preventing residents from paying bills or applying for permits during the outage. Despite assurances from town officials that these issues had been resolved, residents continue to encounter significant problems.

One local resident reported not receiving solar panel credits since June, while another noted a substantial increase in costs due to shorter billing cycles. An independent review unearthed a $300,000 underpayment in the utility system, persisting even after the town's initial corrective measures. As of September, authorities have not charged anyone in connection with the cyberattack.

Apex Town Manager Randy Vosburg spoke on the matter, confirming that while the original billing issues were fixed, the transition to a new billing system has introduced a fresh set of challenges. Vosburg acknowledged discrepancies with billing cycle dates but assured that the overall costs and usage rates remain accurate. He emphasized that although these errors appear complex, cycles were generally aligned with typical 30-day billing periods, offering a pathway to normalization.

Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert stressed the need for further action to combat the cyberattack's legacy issues. He proposed the creation of an Emergency Operations Center to manage such crises more efficiently but withheld specifics on implementation timelines or alternative strategies. Addressing the missing solar credits, Vosburg admitted these credits are administered differently in the updated system but stopped short of providing a timeline for full resolution.

Despite the assurance that a resolution is imminent, frustrations linger among residents. Vosburg expressed optimism, stating, "There is light at the end of the tunnel." However, without definitive solutions or timelines, many residents remain skeptical.

The broader ramifications of these persistent challenges underscore the critical nature of robust cybersecurity measures and efficient system transitions. As Apex continues to address these reoccurring issues, the ongoing dialogue between town officials and residents remains pivotal in rebuilding trust and ensuring transparency.