Collections recommended for delinquent utility bills
Staff reporter
Marion Mayor Martin Tice recommended city attorney Dan Baldwin begin collecting on delinquent city accounts.
City officials discussed options in collecting delinquent utility bills from past customers.
More than $40,000 is owed by past utility customers that the City of Marion has not been able to collect.
City commissioners reviewed the delinquent list at the Sept. 7 meeting.
Tice asked Baldwin what could be done to collect the delinquent accounts. Baldwin said the city could file limited action suits with court costs assessed to the city.
Baldwin also said in the past his office attempted to collect past due accounts.
"We can do 10 or fewer at a time," Baldwin said. He added there had not been a "round" completed yet this year.
Tice said he would like to see a "fresh round of collections." He suggested starting with those who owed $500 or more. He told Baldwin he would expect a report in two weeks.
Larry McLain was absent from the Tuesday meeting but Tice and commissioner Jim Crofoot discussed the city's utility billing ordinance pertaining specifically to landlords.
The ordinance requires the property owner to ultimately be responsible for tenants' unpaid city utility bills.
Legislation recently was passed permitting the city to hold the landowner accountable only for unpaid electrical bills incurred by tenants, not sewer and water.
Baldwin said the city had three options. One option would be having all utility bills in the property owners' names.
"I know that would be unpopular with landlords," Baldwin said. He said this option would be the easiest for the city. He added there would have to be a "window" for those tenants with active leases.
The second option would be to increase deposits.
Currently customers pay a total of $80.29 for connection or transfer of city services.
"The deposit situation sparks another round of headaches," Baldwin said, because it requires the city to manage the problem. It also would punish all property owners, Baldwin said.
The third option would be to continue to do as the city has done — hold the landlord responsible for electrical service.
Becky Makovec, utility billing clerk, reported the city requires a list of all tenants residing at a residence, and forwarding addresses when utilities are disconnected.
"It's a lose-lose deal," Crofoot said.
Tice agreed. "Somebody's going to be unhappy," he said.
Baldwin said the current system is working.
Tice recommended Baldwin and other city officials meet and discuss the various options. He added he was in favor of maintaining the current system as it is with a possible increase in charges for new connections and reconnects.
In other business:
— City public utilities director Harvey Sanders reported city crews had completed underground sewer work in Tanglewood Addition, repaired two water leaks, and will haul 100 tons of blacktop to be used for blade patching on Eisenhower Drive. The material will be stored on the parking lot at Marion Baseball Complex.
— Warrants in the amount of $43,282 and payroll in the amount of $25,193 were approved.
The commission will meet at 4 p.m. Monday in the city building.
