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As moratorium ends, River Falls utility reports reduced overdue accounts after outreach
Summary
Staff told the Municipal Utility Advisory Board that the number of past-due active accounts has fallen from thousands to a small number through outreach, and noted the moratorium on disconnections is ending this month.
City utility staff told the Municipal Utility Advisory Board on Oct. 20 that active past-due accounts have declined following outreach efforts and that the moratorium on disconnections is ending.
Staff said at one point the utility had about 7,500 past-due accounts and, through calls, letters and in-person outreach including door-knocking, reduced that number to three (staff characterized that as a snapshot taken that morning). Staff emphasized that accounts discussed were active service accounts and not merely vacant properties.
The board heard that front-desk and customer-service staff have been heavily engaged, sending about 700 letters and making repeated calls. Staff said they do not take disconnections lightly and work to provide ample opportunity and assistance before proceeding.
Board members and staff discussed whether differential rates or impact fees can be used for very large customers such as data centers; staff said municipalities and utilities have used tariffs and dedicated rates to address large, concentrated loads and give examples such as tariff filings in Pleasant Prairie. WPPI staff present also said member services include helping communities evaluate data-center inquiries and mitigating risk to other ratepayers.
Staff urged continued outreach and noted the utility is following the planned end of the moratorium. No new disconnection policy was adopted at the meeting.
