Apex reports progress on meter replacements and rising past‑due utility balances

Town Manager Bossberg updated council on utility meter replacements and collections. He said the town has replaced 26,500 electric meters — about 80% of the program — and remains on track for a fall completion.

On billing and collections, Bossberg reported an estimated $4,309,000 in past‑due balances not covered by payment plans and approximately $1,200,000 currently under payment plans, for roughly $5.5 million in total accounts with some delinquencies. He said 506 payment plans are active but 39 plans were suspended for nonpayment; about 1,091 customers would hit a temporary $1,000 cutoff threshold (up from the prior $500 threshold) if balances are not resolved. "We're probably 4 to 6 weeks before we'd be looking at our first cutoffs," Bossberg said, adding staff will bring policy adjustments to an August 18 work session.

Bossberg also said the town instituted late fees on the most recent billing cycle and plans education and notices to encourage signups for payment plans. Council members asked follow‑up questions about outreach, criteria for cutoffs during extreme weather and the mechanics for payment plans; staff said policy tweaks will come to a work session and emphasized options to protect most vulnerable customers.