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Alexander City signals stricter enforcement after $4.1 million in past-due utility accounts
Summary
The mayor told the council the city will mail a notice warning of cutoffs for accounts more than 30 days past due and outlined reconnection fees, payment options and narrow medical exceptions, aiming to improve the city's standing with potential investors.
The Alexander City mayor announced a stepped-up enforcement campaign on past-due utility accounts after staff identified more than $4.1 million in delinquent balances over the past year. The mailed notice will warn customers that services may be cut off if accounts are more than 30 days past due and will describe payment options and reconnection fees.
"The city of Alexander City is honored to provide utility services for our community and plans to continue continually improving service for decades to come," the mayor said, reading from the notice that will be sent to customers. The notice states the city’s intent to cut off services to customers more than 30 days past due and explains that services cut off on one day will most likely not be restored until the next day after payment of past-due bills.
Council members and staff said reconnection fees reflect the overtime costs of sending crews to restore service. The mayor said there will be exceptions for mistaken disconnections and for life‑threatening medical situations if a doctor provides documentation that is updated annually.
The mayor also said staff will publish a non-identifying map showing where delinquencies are concentrated; the map will display approximate locations and use larger dots to indicate larger delinquencies but will not publish exact addresses or customer names.
Officials framed the enforcement push as necessary to shore up receivables and improve the city’s standing with potential private lenders. The mayor said representatives of investment firms and staff from three U.S. senators’ and one representative’s offices urged the city to collect receivables before seeking outside financing. He said private investors might enable capital projects as soon as August if the city finalizes a strategic plan by May or June.
Councilmembers said the policy aims to protect service quality and the city’s finances while allowing narrow medical exceptions. The city did not provide an exact schedule for cutoff notices; staff said they will mail the notice in a few weeks and will also include it in local publications.
