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Council moves to make homeowners responsible for water accounts, effective Jan. 1
Summary
Council approved shifting water utility-account ownership from renters to property owners, with homeowners becoming the account holder and subject to special assessment for unpaid bills; city staff said the change would take effect Jan. 1.
City staff proposed changing the city's utility billing policy so property owners — not renters — would be the account holders for water service, and the council approved the policy change to take effect on Jan. 1.
Staff member Christy explained the policy would make homeowners ultimately responsible for the account and allow renters to remain listed if the owner chooses. "Renters can still have their names on it if the homeowner wants it that way, but ultimately, they are the ones that are responsible for the account," Christy said. The council voted unanimously to transfer account ownership to property owners.
Councilors said the change aligns ownership and financial responsibility and referenced similar policies in other cities; staff will implement an outreach process to help homeowners establish accounts before the effective date.
