Committee forwards ordinance to align utility disconnect rules with 2024 state law

The Governmental Operations Standing Committee on Wednesday voted to forward an ordinance to city council that amends city code sections governing deposits, refunds and disconnections for gas, water and wastewater service to align with 2024 state law (House Bill 904).

The ordinance, described in the meeting as changes to city code sections 28-54, 28-57 and 28-58, is intended to mirror state prohibitions on disconnects during high-heat periods and around holidays and to ensure the city’s gas utility — which is governed by the State Corporation Commission — follows comparable rules. Scott Morris, director of the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), introduced the paper and said the changes align local code with the state law and list the affected sections of the city code.

Why it matters: The ordinance sets local standards for when the city may disconnect utility service for nonpayment, and it adds explicit cross-references to state law. Committee members pressed staff about how the rules will be implemented and what consumer protections will accompany any resumption of disconnects.

DPU told the committee the city is not currently performing disconnections and will not resume them until billing issues are corrected. Morris said the utility plans customer outreach and updates to internal procedures before reinstating disconnects. He also described the city’s extended-payment program, PromisePay: “PromisePay is something they can go over 36 months. It basically spreads out that delinquency over the 36 month period and, in essence, is almost like an interest free loan to the individual to pay back.” Morris said accounts enrolled in PromisePay receive an annotation preventing disconnection while the plan is active.

Committee members asked for data on outstanding delinquencies to understand the scope of arrears before disconnects resume. DPU said it has ongoing outreach to customers with past-due balances and offers payment plans and other options; no detailed arrears totals were provided during the hearing.

Public comment on the ordinance yielded no speakers. The committee voted to forward the ordinance 20 25-1 34 to council with a recommendation to approve. Recorded votes in the meeting transcript show a unanimous committee recommendation (Miss Gibson: Yes; Vice Chair Abubakar: Aye).

Details and next steps: Committee discussion clarified that the ordinance does not change the city’s deposit or refund formulas; those references appear in the ordinance for consistency. Committee members asked staff to provide follow-up information about the volume and age of delinquent accounts and to notify the public before disconnects resume.

Votes at this committee do not finalize law; forwarding the ordinance sends it to full council for final action.