Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $69,484.56 write-off for uncollectible utility debts; council asks staff to study renter/landlord approaches
Summary
Payson City Council voted to write off $69,484.56 in uncollectible utility debts and directed staff to return with options to reduce future write-offs, including higher renter deposits and landlord accountability measures.
Payson City Council on June 3 approved a resolution to write off $69,484.56 in uncollectible utility debts the city had sent to collections.
Finance staff presented the annual write-off and explained the breakdown: renters made up roughly 81% of the accounts proposed for write-off, homeowners 12% and commercial renters about 6%. "So this year, our proposal to write off the $69,484.56 in bad debt," staff said during the presentation, "It is down to the penny." Council members questioned trends and asked whether higher up-front deposits or holding landlords accountable could reduce future write-offs.
Council discussed legal and equity concerns with raising deposits but instructed staff to explore options and report back. The motion to approve the write-off was made and seconded; the roll-call vote carried.
