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South Lake Tahoe council demands meeting with Liberty Utilities over closure of local walk‑in payment center
Summary
City council voted to send a letter to Liberty Utilities and seek a public meeting after residents warned closing the town’s only walk‑in payment option would harm unbanked residents and older customers; council asked staff to explore alternative in‑person payment options and to copy the CPUC if needed.
The South Lake Tahoe City Council on Tuesday moved to send a modified letter to Liberty Utilities and invite a Liberty representative to appear before the council after residents and council members said the utility’s planned closure of its local walk‑in payment center would disproportionately harm people who rely on cash and in‑person customer service.
Public commenters described recurring billing errors, long hold times with customer call centers and barriers for residents living paycheck‑to‑paycheck who cannot easily access banking or online payment. "Liberty is closing their only local in‑person bill paying facility where people could walk in with cash and pay their electric bill," Council Member Robbins said, arguing the change would worsen financial exclusion.
Council members debated stepped responses: several members supported sending a strongly worded letter asking Liberty to delay the closure, provide clearer local payment options and send a representative to explain the change. Council Member Jenkins urged the city to pursue more than a letter — suggesting staff study whether a centralized, low‑cost bill‑pay or check‑cashing service could be offered by the city or coordinated with other utilities.
During public comment, multiple residents said Liberty had identified third‑party locations (for example Mountain Postal/UPS) that accept payments, but that those outlets often charge fees and do not offer full in‑person billing assistance for older residents or customers disputing large bills. A Zoom caller, Nicole Ramirez Thomas, said she was able to find a local payment option but warned it was not widely advertised or user‑friendly.
By motion, council instructed the mayor to send a Liberty letter inviting the company to appear publicly before the council prior to any closure, asked staff to pursue follow‑up dialogue with Liberty, and to hold a CPUC copy of any complaint until after the local meeting to see whether that meeting resolves concerns. The council also asked staff to evaluate options that could help unbanked customers, including kiosks, third‑party payment locations and the feasibility of a city‑run payment assistance service that would accept cash.
Council members emphasized the city’s limited jurisdiction over jail transfers and federal immigration enforcement, noting earlier public comment that had raised immigration enforcement concerns; the mayor clarified the city does not operate a jail and has limited authority regarding federal agencies. The council left open additional steps pending Liberty’s response.
The council’s action was procedural — the letter and any follow‑up will be prepared by staff and returned to council for final approval and signatures.
