The Governing Body discussed electrical shutoff policies at tonights council meeting and whether or not a change is needed. City Manager Gus Collins presented the Council with an existing City Code that does allow for the suspension of shutoffs for extenuating circumstances such as "weather" (See below). Further discussion will be needed to establish the criteria for such suspensions, therefore the issue will be placed on a future work session agenda.
For those residents who are unable to pay their bill by the cutoff date, they are encouraged to contact the City Clerks Office at 326-2821 to make arrangements for a level pay plan or a payment plan on the arrears. The Wellington Ministerial Alliance also can provide assistance for those with extenuating circumstances. Persons interested in more information can contact Pastor Bob Nickel at the Grace Fellowship Baptist Church.
City Code, Sec. 38-446. Same--Special circumstances.
(a) If a residential customer notifies the utility and establishes that discontinuance would be especially dangerous to the health of the customer, resident member of the customer's family or other permanent resident of the premises where service is rendered, and that such customer is unable to pay for such service in accordance with the requirements of the utility's billing, or is able to pay for such service only in installments, the utility shall either allow payment in reasonable installments or postpone discontinuance of service for at least 21 days so that the customer can make arrangements for reasonable installment payments.
(b) In determining whether discontinuance would be especially dangerous to health, consideration shall be given to the weather, and the customer's or other resident's medical condition, age or disability.
(Code 1996, § 15-527; Ord. No. 3288, § 14)
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