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Byron council keeps this year’s utility bills, orders earlier public notice and approves autopay vendor change
Summary
Byron officials agreed to keep utility bills unchanged for the current fiscal year (9% base-rate increase per Town Code), require rate changes be announced at the start of each fiscal year, and approved switching autopay to a provider with better Caselle compatibility (e.g., Xpress Bill Pay).
Mayor Allan Clark told the Byron Town Council on Aug. 25 that, after talking with Dexter Woodis and JR Gonzales of SMP, he supported adjusting utility rates to build water and sewer reserves for future repairs and replacements.
After discussion the council agreed to keep utility bills as they are for the current year — continuing the 9% annual increase of the base rate as provided by Town Code — and directed that any changes be announced to the public at the beginning of each fiscal year.
The council also discussed autopay options and compatibility with Caselle billing software. Councilman Shae Abraham moved that the town switch to a company with better autopay options (such as Xpress Bill Pay); Councilman Mikey Brightly seconded. The minutes record “All in favor. Motion passed.”
The minutes do not specify an implementation timeline, costs, contract terms, or which funds or customers will be migrated first. Town staff (Clerk/Treasurer Kristin Sanders and Assistant Clerk/Treasurer Tomy Pluhar) were present and will handle onboarding details.
What’s next: staff must select the autopay vendor, complete any integration with Caselle, and publish the public-notice schedule for utility rate changes to align with the start of the fiscal year.
