HomeMy Public PortalAboutAB 21-108 COVID-19 Utility Relief DiscussionMcCALL CITY COUNCIL 216 East Park Street
AGENDA BILL McCall, Idaho 83638
Number AB 21-108
Meeting Date April 8, 2021
AGENDA ITEM INFORMATION
SUBJECT:
Request for Discussion and Direction to Staff regarding COVID-19 Relief for Utility Customers
Department Approvals
Initials
Originator
or
Supporter
Mayor / Council
City Manager
Clerk
Treasurer
Originator
Community Development
Police Department
Public Works
Golf Course
COST IMPACT:
$10,207 through March 31, 2021
Parks and Recreation
FUNDING SOURCE:
General Fund – Mayor & Council - Utility Hardship Account
Airport
Library
TIMELINE:
Information Systems
Grant Coordinator
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
On January 14, 2021, the Council extended COVID-19 relief for utility customers for an additional 90-day period which expires April 14, 2021.As directed by City Council, over the last
90 days staff has attempted to contact each delinquent utility customer to inform them that the City COVID-19 relief would be ending soon. Staff has mailed letters and made phone calls
to utility customers that were on the shutoff list notifying them that the City would soon transition back to normal business practices of billing late payment penalty fees, billing
monthly service charges, and shutting off water services for non-payment. Staff expressed the City’s desire to work with utility customers to create a payment plan that would allow
them to bring their accounts current so there would be no disruption in their water utility service when the provided relief ends.
Since March 2, 2021, the City collected $6,545 from utility customers that were on the shutoff list, 4 customers set up auto pay in Xpress Bill Pay (accounts paid in full on April 1),
and 1 customer arranged a payment plan. Even with the success of the collection efforts, there is still $5,847 that are over 90 days past due. Of the 37 customers that are over 90 days
past due, there are 5 customers who owe 54% ($3,137) of the total amount due.
Of those 5 customers, 4 have not returned phone calls or responded to the letters. They have a poor payment history and have frequently been on the shutoff list prior to COVID-19.
Should the Council decide to end the utility COVID-19 relief, staff recommends immediately reinstating the process of notifying delinquent accounts that their services are in danger
of being shutoff due to non-payment via door hanger notifications and letters, and billing penalties & service charges.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Provide direction to staff to continue or discontinue COVID-19 relief for the utility rate payer
RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
MEETING DATE
ACTION
July 9, 2020
The Council extended COVID-19 Utility Relief for an additional 90-days to October 9, 2020
October 8, 2020
The Council extended COVID-19 Utility Relief for an additional 90-days to January 9, 2021
January 24, 2021
The Council extended COVID-19 Utility Relief for an additional 90-days to April 14, 2021