Arvada City Council discusses reinstating water shutoff policies and financial assistance programs

Arvada City Council has taken a significant step towards addressing water utility management by approving a new ordinance that holds property owners accountable for unpaid water and sewer charges. This decision, made during the council meeting on July 1, 2025, aims to streamline the process of managing delinquent accounts and reduce the financial burden on the city.

The ordinance, which passed with a vote of 6 to 1, emphasizes that while tenants may be responsible for utility payments, the ultimate responsibility lies with property owners. This change is intended to encourage owners to ensure their tenants pay their bills, as liens will now be placed directly against the property rather than the tenant. Council member Rupert highlighted the importance of this distinction, noting that it allows for better accountability in landlord-tenant situations.

Council member Davis raised concerns about the timing of reinstating the lien process, questioning why it took until 2025 to resume practices that other cities had already implemented post-pandemic. The city’s leadership acknowledged that previous policies aimed to avoid water shutoffs, but recent analyses indicated that this approach was not effectively addressing the root causes of financial hardship among residents.

In response to the growing number of delinquent accounts, which totaled over $625,000 in unpaid charges, the council is also exploring ways to enhance communication about available assistance programs for struggling customers. The city plans to follow up on the ordinance's impact within 90 days, assessing compliance rates and the effectiveness of outreach efforts to ensure residents are aware of support options.

Additionally, the council discussed ongoing improvements to the utility payment system, including the potential for modernizing payment options to make it easier for residents to settle their bills. This initiative aims to reduce barriers to payment and improve overall compliance.

As the city moves forward with these changes, the council remains committed to monitoring the situation closely, ensuring that the new policies effectively support residents while maintaining the financial health of the city’s utility services. The next steps will involve gathering data on the ordinance's impact and continuing discussions on utility rates and assistance programs in upcoming workshops.