Falls City Council OKs Measure to Curb Utility Bill Delinquencies

The Cuyahoga Falls City Council voted unanimously on Monday night to pass an ordinance intended to create more accountability and curb delinquencies among utility customers.

Prior to approval at Monday night’s regular meeting, Ward 3 city councilman Ken Barnhart asked to table the vote at the request of constituents, namely landlords, who wanted to discuss the issue further at next week’s committee meeting. The motion failed 6 to 5.

The new ordinance will require utility customers to show proof of ownership or tenancy, so that accounts are established with the proper names, said law director Paul Janis.

Originally, an account could be created in anyone’s name, which, city officials feel, contributed to a rise in delinquencies.

“It’s about creating a relationship with our customers, so that we know who our customers are,” said law director Paul Janis in a phone interview with Patch last week.

The ordinance was introduced after the city received 78,000 less payments in 2011 versus 2010, said Teresa Hazlett, the city’s deputy service director. The steep decrease in payments equates to about a $3 million revenue shortfall. 

Another change will pertain to utility deposit procedures for residents. At first, users would receive their deposits back when they closed their account with the city.

Now, deposits, which range from $200-$250, will be returned to residents after 24 consecutive months of on-time payments, said Valerie Wax Carr, the city’s service director.

Billing cycles and late fee notices will remain the same.

A utility bill is due 25 days after it is sent out, said Hazlett. The first late notice is mailed three days after it is due to any account that has a balance. The second notice goes out seven days after that. Once the second notice is issued, the account can be tagged for shut-off.

Typically, 50 residences are tagged for shut-off each week, she added. The majority who receive final notices either come in and pay or set up payment plans.