Committee forwards ordinance to align water disconnects with new state timeline, debates monthly billing

City staff presented an ordinance to amend Winchester City Code to comply with recent state changes governing utility billing and water shutoffs, and the Planning and Economic Development committee voted to forward the ordinance with a recommendation for approval.

Perry, the staff presenter, said the most significant state-driven change is an extended timeline before utility disconnection: while bills remain due at 30 days and a 10% late fee still applies, the timeline for door-hanger notices shifts to roughly day 80 and the earliest permitted shutoff for nonpayment is day 90. Perry noted the city previously used a much shorter timeline (door hangers around day 40; disconnections near day 42) and described the state change as effectively adding about 45 days to the prior process.

Perry also described mandatory operational changes: late notices and door-hangers must be provided in both English and Spanish; utilities may not disconnect service on Fridays, weekends, state holidays or the days immediately preceding a state holiday; and crews must consult National Weather Service forecasts and delay a shutoff if temperatures are forecast to exceed 92°F within 24 hours of the planned disconnection. "We are not allowed to turn off water for non payment until at least 60 days after the original due date of the bill," Perry explained while walking the committee through the revised timeline, also noting that the practical shutoff point is day 90 in the state's outline.

Staff proposed an optional operational change to move residential accounts from bimonthly (one bill every two months) to monthly billing; because the city reads meters with radio technology, staff said monthly billing is feasible but carries implementation costs. Perry estimated a one-time vendor change plus an annual mailing expense (staff cited roughly $36,000/year in additional postage and processing costs) and proposed a January 1 start date if council approves.

Councilors split on the monthly-billing timing. One councilor said residents are still adjusting to recent rate changes and worried monthly billing would be perceived as hiding a rate increase, and recommended delaying the change. After debate the committee voted to forward the ordinance with a recommendation for approval; the motion passed on a voice vote with a single recorded nay during the meeting.