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Council discusses tenant utility accounts, Tyler Tech billing, and phasing out 90‑day suspension
Summary
Council discussed whether utilities should be held in renters’ names, city liability for unpaid tenant balances, a planned Tyler Tech billing upgrade, and a proposal to eliminate the ordinance allowing 90-day utility suspensions except for limited nonprofit exceptions.
Council and staff held an extended workshop on whether utility accounts should be in tenants’ or owners’ names, the city’s billing and lien authority, and whether to keep a 90‑day suspension that allows customers to suspend water, sewer and garbage charges while remaining liable for stormwater.
Riley, city utilities staff, explained the city’s current policy: owners are on accounts by default and owners can add tenants as authorized payers. When an owner's name is on the account the city can place a lien or disconnect service to recover unpaid balances; if the account is only in a tenant’s name, the city loses its standard lien remedy against the property and recovery becomes harder. Riley said the city currently sets a $200 disconnection…
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