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Kewanee council agrees to end city’s 'red tag' water-billing step and update relief language
Summary
City staff recommended removing Kewanee’s extra “red tag” step from the water-billing process because it duplicates common practice elsewhere, consumes staff time and does not cover its costs; the council directed staff to end the step and notify residents.
City staff told the Kewanee City Council on Aug. 12 that the city’s water-billing process includes an additional "red tag" step that comparable municipalities do not use and that the revenue it generates does not cover the staff time and other costs required to perform it.
Staff described the common sequence used elsewhere as: a bill, a penalty, then shutoff for nonpayment. By contrast, Kewanee adds a red-tag step that staff said is time-consuming and prevents completion of other tasks. After discussion, council members agreed staff should cease the red-tag step as soon as possible, update water-relief language to clarify eligibility and notify residents of the change.
Council also asked staff to make sure residents receive clear advance notice of the procedural change and to incorporate the revised language into the city’s water-relief policy. No formal ordinance or vote was recorded on the change during the meeting; the entry in the minutes is recorded as "Discussion Only" with staff direction to proceed.
The move is intended to streamline billing procedures and reduce administrative burden; staff did not provide an estimate of implementation timing at the meeting.
