Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mebane council tightens utility billing rules, shortens disconnect timeline to 45 days
Summary
Council approved revisions to the utility billing and collections policy requiring ID/proof of residence for new accounts, allowing two-times deposit if a Social Security number is withheld, and shortening the disconnect threshold from 60 to 45 days with an implementation and outreach plan.
The City of Mebane revised its utility billing and collections policy to require new customers to provide identification and proof of residence or ownership when establishing service, and to shorten the disconnection threshold from 60 days after the due date to 45 days.
Finance staff said the change aligns the city with practices used by many municipalities and helps reduce the number of customers who fall far behind on utility bills. The proposed policy also includes a provision allowing staff to charge double the deposit when applicants decline to provide a Social Security number required for debt setoff recoupment; staff said the latter is rare.
Council members asked about special circumstances, such as real estate agents needing temporary water service for inspections. The utility billing supervisor described existing procedures — using proof of agency and a contract with the realtor — and staff committed to add specific language to the policy to allow for those one-off situations.
Staff also outlined outreach plans (billing inserts, social media and a July 1 effective date) to notify customers of the timing change. Council approved the policy update with the clarification to allow agency documentation for realtors and similar agents.
