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Treasurer proposes raising water‑shutoff eligibility from $200 to more than $500; council discusses tenant protections
Summary
City treasurer presented a recommendation to raise the charter cutoff for water shutoff from $200 to above $500 to focus collection on larger delinquencies; council discussed payment plans, water hearings and potential tenant displacement risk but did not take a vote on an ordinance.
BINGHAMTON — Larry Harris, the city treasurer, presented a proposal Jan. 27 to raise the city charter threshold that triggers water shutoff collection from $200 to amounts in excess of $500, citing changes in average bills and collection efficiency.
Harris said the average water bill has increased and that shifting collection resources to higher‑value delinquent accounts would capture a larger share of outstanding receivables with fewer individual shutoffs. He presented a table showing the distribution of outstanding accounts: a large number of small balances account for a small percentage of dollars owed while higher balances account for most of the unpaid dollars. The city plans to resume shutoffs in April 2025 after late notices and outreach.
Council members asked about alternatives and tenant protections. Harris and staff described the city’s current process: late notices at roughly 46 and 76 days, a notification about 20 days before shutoff, and an opportunity for residents to request a water hearing up to five days before shutoff. Water hearings routinely produce payment plans, Harris said. Staff also suggested referrals to assistance programs where eligible.
Council members raised concerns that shutoffs could lead to displacement if a landlord’s property is deemed uninhabitable, or that tenants without capacity to attend hearings could be ill‑served. Officials said they will coordinate with code and corporation counsel to consider safeguards and to discuss tenant outreach and advocacy options. No formal vote on raising the charter threshold occurred during the work session.
