Idaho Falls tightens and clarifies utility disconnect procedures; residential trigger moves to 48 days

City staff presented a consolidated update to the City of Idaho Falls' termination of utility service and temporary disconnect policy during the April 2 council meeting. The revised policy brings all municipal utilities under a single set of procedures designed to improve consistency, transparency and customer support.

Key changes noted by staff: nonresidential accounts will trigger disconnect procedures after 75 days past due; residential accounts will trigger after 48 days past due (changed from 45 days). Staff explained the 48-day threshold spreads disconnects across weekdays (48 days creates a 49-day period divisible by 7), preventing clustering of disconnects on Fridays and Mondays and giving customers better access to assistance during business hours.

Staff also clarified governance and oversight: the council-level authority retains final approval for extensions beyond standard administrative extensions; limited administrative 30-day extensions can be granted by a combination of department heads in special cases. Winter operational protections for disconnects remain in place for the seasonal window between Dec. 1 and Mar. 15.

Councilors asked about donation routing for the bill-donation option on paper bills; staff confirmed donations are pooled monthly and routed to ECAP (Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership) rather than managed by the city.

Council moved and approved a resolution adopting the amended policy and authorized the mayor and city clerk to execute the necessary documents.