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Saint Helena council adopts ordinance to move to monthly utility billing; delays decision on late fees
Summary
The City Council approved an ordinance to switch utility customers from bimonthly to monthly billing and shorten the payment window. Council directed staff to return with options to reinstate penalties after an initial implementation period; no immediate change to penalties was made.
The Saint Helena City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance to change the city’s utility billing from a bimonthly schedule to monthly billing and shorten the payment window from 30 days to 21 days, while delaying a permanent decision about late penalties.
Council members said the change is intended to smooth a transition to monthly billing and align the new schedule with the rate changes planned this summer. The ordinance was adopted by unanimous roll-call vote (Councilmember Barrick, Vice Mayor Deasy, Councilmember Spatarotto and Mayor Doreen all voting yes).
Finance staff told the council the plan would send customers their last bimonthly bill in July for May–June usage; the first monthly bill would be mailed in August for July service. Finance Manager Martin Beltran said staff expects “a 2-month bill in July and the first monthly bill in August” as part of the transition.
The ordinance also included a staff recommendation to eliminate late penalties and interest…
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