Behind on your Lacey utility bill? City to introduce 24-month payment plan
.JPG "City manager Scott Spence (lower right) explained to Lacey City Council on Thursday that the city intends to reach out to folks with past due utility bills, offering the option of a 24-month payment plan and a reminder about funds still available to Lacey residents through an area nonprofit.")
During the early days of the pandemic, Lacey City Council voted to provide financial relief to residents by suspending interest charges, late fees and enforcement actions against delinquent utility accounts.
But that policy came to an end Thursday night, with the city council agreeing to begin the process of recovering those fees.
Mayor Andy Ryder asked the first question: How will the city handle collections?
City Manager Scott Spence said the city intends to reach out to folks with past due bills, offering the option of a 24-month payment plan and a reminder about relief funds still available to Lacey residents through the nonprofit Community Action Council.
More specifically, those customers, starting next week, will be contacted by direct mail, finance director Troy Woo said. The mailer will include a cover letter explaining the 24-month payment plan, along with a form to fill out to get the payment plan agreement started, he said.
Spence urged delinquent account holders to sign up for the payment plan, otherwise “our remedy is to turn off the water.”
Councilman Lenny Greenstein asked whether interest or penalties will accrue over the 24-month payment period. Spence said no.
In December 2020, the city mailed postcards to about 3,000 utility customers, encouraging them to take advantage of federal relief funds available through the Community Action Council, The Olympian reported. In October of that year, the city council authorized Lacey to spend more than $700,000 to help qualifying residents with their utility bills, rent, mortgages, childcare and other expenses. About $400,000 was earmarked for utility bills.
Still, Mayor Ryder said there are a lot of people who qualify who haven’t taken advantage of those funds. “Some don’t believe it’s real,” he said, citing a “lack of trust when it comes to government.”
Councilwoman Carolyn Cox pointed out that Lacey water rates are set to increase 5.25 percent next year. She suggested the city also share water conservation tips via the utility bill, city newsletter and website.
This story was originally published November 19, 2021 at 5:30 AM.
