Council reviews draft ordinance to allow liens, service disconnection for overdue water bills

The Wallsburg Town Council reviewed a proposed ordinance intended to formalize billing, collection and enforcement for overdue water service accounts. Council members discussed schedule and enforcement steps, including creating bills on the 1st of each month, a due date of the 25th, a late fee the following month and consideration of service disconnection when an account is 90 days past due.

S2 (Clerk) explained how the county certification would work to prioritize collection: "If it gets to the point where we want to put a lien on, then the town clerk will report it" and certified delinquent charges would be sent to the county to be collected. Council members also raised practical concerns about delivering legal notice — returned mail from closed PO boxes and whether certified letters or sheriff service may be necessary for hard‑to‑reach property owners. Members asked staff to add a clear notice sequence to the draft and to research sheriff or certified service options for final notice delivery.

Council discussed customer supports as part of the enforcement pathway. S2 noted the town already asks customers to contact staff to arrange payment plans and recommended a future update to the notice that lists assistance resources. The council agreed to individually review the template drafted by Spencer Foster and provide edits to S2 prior to bringing the ordinance to a regular council meeting for formal action.