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Council adopts ordinance letting city manager approve payment plans and occasional waivers for delinquent utility/landfill bills under limits
Summary
An ordinance was adopted that gives the city manager authority, in specified circumstances, to approve payment plans for delinquent utility or landfill accounts and to waive fees or charges in limited cases; waivers must be requested in writing within 30 days, require a bona fide dispute, and are capped by bond-covenant constraints or $150,000 per
The Lawton City Council adopted an ordinance authorizing the city manager, under specified conditions, to approve payment plans for delinquent utility and landfill accounts and, in limited cases, to waive part or all of disputed charges.
City staff explained the change responds to an earlier council directive and legal review. The ordinance requires customers to request a payment plan or waiver in writing within 30 days, requires a bona fide dispute about the amount owed, and permits a waiver only when the city manager determines there is good cause. The ordinance bars repeated waivers by the same account within a 36‑month window and limits total annual waiver amounts to the lesser of the bond-covenant allowance and $150,000 in any calendar year, per bond counsel guidance.
For transparency the ordinance requires the city manager to report to council in June and December each year listing waivers granted. The manager said he does not expect to use the waiver authority frequently.
Council approved the ordinance by a recorded vote of 8–0.
Council action: adopted ordinance amending Code (section 22-1-1104 etc.) to permit the city manager to approve payment plans and limited waivers for utility and landfill accounts under the conditions described.
