West Plains passes ordinance extending utility due dates

Utility customers in the City of West Plains now have an additional three business days to pay their bills before delinquency. An ordinance approving the change was unanimously passed at last Monday’s city council meeting. 
Councilmembers first considered the change at the March 20 meeting. Earlene Rich, the city's Finance Director, submitted a proposal deferring utility payment deadlines to result in fewer late payments and shut offs. A proposed schedule presented at that meeting suggested an increase from the current seven business days before late fees apply and a subsequent four business days before shut-off to fourteen business days before late fees and ten business days before shut-off. 
Last Monday’s ordinance defines “delinquent” as bills not paid after ten business days and specifies disconnection procedures according to a “disconnection date” listed on the notice. 
"[Late fee revenues] are estimated to decrease by 50% this fiscal year for a total decrease to revenue in the Utility Funds of approximately $13,120 per month from April to December 2023 (a total decrease of $118,080)," reads Rich's March report. "We hope that this decrease in revenue is realized (a statement you are unlikely to hear your Finance Director say) resulting in a better experience for our customers and for our staff." 
The Council also passed an ordinance with a budget amendment that includes a net decrease in fund balance of $1,509,105 for the governmental funds and a net decrease in cash balance of $2,251,583 for the utility funds. According to documents from the city administrator and finance director, these changes are necessary because due to the ending fund balances for 2022 are higher than those estimated during the 2023 budget process in the Autumn of 2022.
Two other ordinances were presented for first reading to be passed at a future meeting – one will vacate an alley between Leyda Avenue and Garrett Street and the other will rezone 1410 Bill Virdon from R-2 Urban Residential to C-2 General Commercial.
City Administrator Sam Anselm reported on renovation at the Aquatic Center pool house, the
children’s park, Arbor Day “Tree City” designation, and announcement of plans for an event next year around Earth Day, record the meeting’s minutes. 
From the consent agenda:
-Council approved the only bid for two 2023 Dodge Chargers for the police department in the total amount of $72,136. The WPPD has a total of $350,000 budgeted for replacement of department vehicles. 
-Council approved the only bid for high service pump #2 at a cost of $46,369 to be paid from the water treatment system budget. The department had budgeted $80,000 for this repair. 
-Council reviewed the purchase of a flatbed truck for the fire department to be used as a “brush fire quick attack multipurpose unit” at a cost of $63,308.88.
-The City will be accepting bids for painting the Civic Center pool until May 5. 
-The following individuals were appointed to the Board of Adjustments: Ray Williams, Jenny Long, John Adamson, Brenda Smith, and Kerry Ogden. 
 
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