Council refers utilities billing procedures to committee after councilmember and public concerns

Lorain City Council on May 5 voted unanimously to refer discussion of the utilities billing office’s administrative procedures to a committee after councilmembers and residents raised concerns about changes to payment options and collection processes.

Why it matters: The billing procedures affect water service customers and how residents can make payments — including whether partial payments are accepted, how payment plans are handled and where cash payments can be made.

Councilmember concerns and public comments

Councilmember Miss Minkowski said members of the Sewer and Water Advisory Board and several residents “very, vocally disagreed with Mister Carbonaro’s information and his recommendations to city council with regards to the billing office and the administrative procedures thereof.” She added, “we are here to provide service to the residents of the city, not just so as what is convenient for a particular office.”

Councilmember Miss Seagal asked whether customers were barred from making partial payments on water bills and whether there was “any way around that,” noting partial payments can help prevent accounts from becoming delinquent. Councilmember Mister Nutt said partial payments usually require that the customer be on a payment plan and would need to call in to enroll.

Administration response and next steps

Mayor Bradley said the administration would have Utilities Director Joe Carbonaro appear at a committee meeting so council could hear his recommendations and provide input. The mayor also told council there is a new kiosk in the water department “that indicates that now we can accept credit card payments but also cash payments,” and that cash payers can use the kiosk or go to the window.

Councilmember Mister Thornberry moved to send the matter to the utilities committee; the motion carried unanimously.

What council asked staff to clarify: Councilmembers pressed for clarity on whether partial payments and payment plans are permitted, how customers enroll in plans, and whether the kiosk and cash payment options address access for residents who prefer or need to pay in cash.

What’s next: Utilities Director Joe Carbonaro will be scheduled to appear before the committee to present the billing-office procedures and proposed administrative changes and to answer council questions.

Quotes above are taken verbatim from council remarks at the May 5 meeting.