Williston commission approves utility rate changes and $1.14M in bad-debt write-offs

The Williston Board of City Commissioners on Dec. 9 approved a package of financial measures including a multi-year utility rate update and a large set of receivable write-offs.

Finance Director Hercules Cummings outlined a rate proposal (Resolution 25-029) based on a utility rate study updated in 2025 and work by independent consultants AE2S and Burns & McDonnell. Officials said increases are intended to cover rising labor and materials costs, higher wholesale water purchases from the Western Area Water Supply Authority, capital rehabilitation of aging pipes and treatment facilities, required environmental compliance, and to build appropriate cash reserves. Commissioners approved the resolution with proposed amendments by voice vote, 5-0.

Cummings also presented the city’s recommended 2025 bad-debt write-offs totaling $1,141,919.05 for accounts considered uncollectible after internal collection efforts and third-party agency involvement. He said the majority of bad debt arose from ambulance billing and from utility accounts tied to apartment-complex bankruptcies; miscellaneous accounts included restitution for light-pole damage totaling $45,276.96. The write-off removes balances from the city’s receivables for reporting but does not eliminate legal collection attempts; the city’s attorney said the office will pursue small claims where appropriate.

Commissioners approved the write-offs 5-0. Cummings noted that the utility department issued approximately 94,503 utility bills in 2025 and that write-offs represented about 0.21% of utility revenue ($11,226,002.41 reported for 2025 operations).