The Powell Metropolis Council is ending some measures it had enacted starting in March to assist residents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. On the finish of Could, town will start amassing late charges and charging disconnect charges for its utility clients. It is going to additionally resume amassing charges for these paying with bank cards.
In March, the council had voted to droop the charges as companies had been closed to adjust to public well being orders supposed to gradual the unfold of the novel coronavirus. With so many individuals unemployed, the expectation was there can be numerous folks in Powell having bother paying their utility payments. The council suspended the charges in an effort to assist them out.
Town additionally suspended bank card charges since metropolis corridor was closed, which pressured extra folks to pay on-line with their playing cards.
With the well being orders easing and most companies reopening, individuals are going again to work.
At this month’s assembly, the council requested Kaela Nelson, Powell finance director, about what she beneficial town do.
“On all three items, we’re ready to get back to normal,” she stated.
Within the earlier billing cycle, town noticed 94 clients go into the disconnect course of, which might have beforehand resulted in a disconnect charge charged. In the newest cycle, that decreased to 70. With late charges over the previous two months, town noticed about $13,000 in suspended charges, which was not a major bounce.
“That’s pretty standard,” stated Metropolis Administrator Zack Thorington.
Councilor Lesli Spencer steered town would possibly see a bounce in June because the $1,200 federal eco-nomic impression funds made to people are used up. She requested if metropolis workers may alert the council if that occurred, so council members may think about reinstating the charge suspensions if there have been spikes in folks having bother paying their payments and costs.
