El Mirage authorizes temporary utility-payment deferral for federal and military employees
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Summary
The El Mirage Common Council approved a temporary program to defer city utility payments for federal and military employees affected by the federal government shutdown, with a 60-day repayment window after federal operations resume.
The El Mirage Common Council on Oct. 21 authorized the city manager to implement a temporary utility-payment deferral program for federal and military employees affected by the federal government shutdown.
The measure, proposed by Vice Mayor Parsons and approved by the council, allows eligible customers to defer water payments while the federal government remains closed; after federal operations resume, deferred balances would be due within 60 days.
Vice Mayor Parsons said the idea came from outreach to other city councils that have implemented similar programs. “While the government is shut down any federal employees, any military employees who are impacted by this shutdown, we are gonna defer the city water payments until the government is back up. And then once the government is back up, they have 60 days to pay that deferment that we have provided to them,” she told the council during the Oct. 21 meeting.
Council members asked staff about outreach and implementation. Council Member Dorsey confirmed staff has a communications plan to notify affected residents. Council Member Aldridge said he supported the program after learning of it from other jurisdictions and described it as “a really smart move” that will help residents during the shutdown.
The motion to authorize the program was made by Vice Mayor Parsons and seconded by Council Member Dorsey; the council voted to approve the program during the meeting.
Council staff said applicants will be required to provide identification showing federal employment to qualify for the deferral. The program is temporary and tied to the duration of the federal shutdown; the city’s website and customer-notification channels will be used to direct residents on how to apply.
The council did not specify a funding source for carrying deferred balances during the suspension period; staff said the city would manage billing and collections when the repayment window begins.
The council approved the motion without further amendment.
