Hooper City Council considers Bonneville Collections for improved utility debt recovery

The Hooper City Council meeting on April 3, 2025, focused on two significant topics: the proposal to engage Bonneville Collections for utility billing and the awarding of a grant for zoning ordinances and design standards.

During the meeting, city staff highlighted the ongoing issue of late and shutoff notices related to utility billing. They proposed utilizing Bonneville Collections to manage these debts, which would allow the city to transfer the responsibility of collection fees to residents. The proposed collection fee would be 33.33%, and staff suggested updating the forms residents sign to include this information. The council discussed the potential benefits of this approach, noting that many residents are significantly overdue on their bills, with some owing over a thousand dollars. The staff emphasized the need for a more effective strategy to address these debts rather than writing them off annually.

Council members expressed support for exploring this option further, recognizing the pressure it could alleviate for city staff. They agreed to revisit the discussion during the upcoming budget meeting on April 24, where they could consider the financial implications and decide on the next steps.

In addition to the utility billing discussion, the council announced that Hooper City had been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Wasatch Front Regional Council. This grant will assist in developing zoning ordinances and design standards, with the city contributing $10,000. The council noted the importance of updating these standards to facilitate commercial development and improve the city's overall planning efforts. They also discussed the possibility of incorporating impact fee evaluations into this project, which could lead to significant future revenue for the city.

The meeting concluded with plans to further discuss both topics in detail at the upcoming budget meeting, ensuring that council members have the opportunity to make informed decisions regarding the city's financial strategies and development plans.