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Finance committee asks staff to gather comparables as late fees and delinquencies draw scrutiny
Summary
Committee members discussed delinquent utility accounts and whether low late fees encourage nonpayment; Clerk/Treasurer Stephanie Waala said shutoff notices require two‑month arrears and that the PSC regulates the water late fee while the village sets sewer late fees.
The Village of Random Lake Finance Committee on April 13 examined the village’s handling of delinquent utility accounts and directed staff to gather comparable late‑fee rates from neighboring communities.
Clerk/Treasurer Stephanie Waala told the committee that shutoff notices are issued only after users are two months behind on utility payments. Member Rachel Fuller said some late fees are minimal and suggested that low fees may be a factor in allowing accounts to become delinquent. Waala said the Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates the water late fee but that the village has authority to set the sewer late fee.
Chairman Dave Borchardt asked staff to compile comparable late‑fee policies from surrounding municipalities for further consideration, including whether to raise sewer late fees. The committee did not set a deadline for the comparables report nor vote on any immediate change to fee schedules during the meeting; further action will depend on the information staff provides.
