THE DISCONTINUATION OF CITY SERVICES IS NOT A MATTER THAT IS TAKEN LIGHTLY.  WATER IS A PRECIOUS COMMODITY. BUT IT IS NOT A FREE COMMODITY.  WHEN OUR CUSTOMERS FALL BEHIND IN THEIR PAYMENTS, WE TRY TO WORK WITH THEM.  WE MEET WITH THEM.  WE WRITE LETTERS.  WE TRY TO WORK OUT A PAYMENT PLAN.  IF A CUSTOMER IS IN ARREARS, THE CUSTOMER CAN ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT TO PAY BY INSTALLMENT.

 

SOME CUSTOMERS HAVE NOT PAID THEIR WATER BILLS IN MONTHS.  SOME CUSTOMERS WHO EXECUTED INSTALLMENT AGREEMENTS FAILED TO HONOR THEIR AGREEMENTS.  CERTIFIED LETTERS INFORMING CUSTOMERS OF DELINQUENCIES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SERVICE CUT-OFF WERE IGNORED.  SOME OF THESE CUSTOMERS WERE SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS IN ARREARS.  SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE.

 

LETTERS WERE RECENTLY SENT INFORMING DELINQUENT CUSTOMERS THAT THEIR PAYMENTS WERE PAST DUE.  AS PER OUR CITY ORDINANCES, SERVICES ARE SUBJECT TO DISCONTINUATION FOR NON-PAYMENT.  THE CITY’S ACTION TO DISCONTINUE SERVICES IS APPROPRIATE.