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Doorknocker utility shut-off warnings stop
By Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
The City of Willcox is no longer issuing doorknockers to customers with delinquent utility bills.
"Prior to February 2010, as a customer service, a few days before the disconnection date, the city also provided a doorknocker to customers subject to shutoff," said Ruth Graham, the city's finance director.
The code enforcement officer normally delivered these reminder notices. But that position is open and will not be filled at this time due to budget constraints, she said in her Feb. 22 letter to council.
A city utility account that is past due may be shut off for non-payment.
The city bills on the final day of the month, and payments are due on 20th day of the following month, Graham said.
If the past due balance is not paid within 15 days after the due date, the account may be shut off.
The city works with its customers to make payment arrangements when possible to avoid interruption in services, she said.
If a customer makes the request, the field technicians will also work with customers to allow them time to come to City Hall to bring the account current rather than disconnect services, Graham said.
Prior to disconnection, the city is required to give notice to all customers who may be affected.
"The city gives notice by a statement on the customer's monthly invoice, which reads, 'you have a past due amount. To avoid interruption of your service(s), along with reconnection fees, please remit the past due amount immediately,'" Graham said.
The city also advertises the shutoff date each month in the Range News, she added.
"The city is meeting its notice requirements with the notices on the bill and in the newspaper," she said.
"The customers are given adequate notice of the bill and the due date, as well as the shutoff procedures," said Graham, adding that the doorknockers are not required, and the city does not charge a fee for their delivery.
"Preparation and delivery of the notices involves a substantial investment of time and money that does not provide a return to the customers of the utilities," she said.
All customers with a past due balance will continue to receive notice on their monthly bill that there is an unpaid past balance due, Graham said.
"We will also continue to post the shutoff date in the newspaper," she said.
"The city will not deliver doorknockers prior to shutoff."
"Prior to February 2010, as a customer service, a few days before the disconnection date, the city also provided a doorknocker to customers subject to shutoff," said Ruth Graham, the city's finance director.
The code enforcement officer normally delivered these reminder notices. But that position is open and will not be filled at this time due to budget constraints, she said in her Feb. 22 letter to council.
A city utility account that is past due may be shut off for non-payment.
The city bills on the final day of the month, and payments are due on 20th day of the following month, Graham said.
If the past due balance is not paid within 15 days after the due date, the account may be shut off.
The city works with its customers to make payment arrangements when possible to avoid interruption in services, she said.
If a customer makes the request, the field technicians will also work with customers to allow them time to come to City Hall to bring the account current rather than disconnect services, Graham said.
Prior to disconnection, the city is required to give notice to all customers who may be affected.
"The city gives notice by a statement on the customer's monthly invoice, which reads, 'you have a past due amount. To avoid interruption of your service(s), along with reconnection fees, please remit the past due amount immediately,'" Graham said.
The city also advertises the shutoff date each month in the Range News, she added.
"The city is meeting its notice requirements with the notices on the bill and in the newspaper," she said.
"The customers are given adequate notice of the bill and the due date, as well as the shutoff procedures," said Graham, adding that the doorknockers are not required, and the city does not charge a fee for their delivery.
"Preparation and delivery of the notices involves a substantial investment of time and money that does not provide a return to the customers of the utilities," she said.
All customers with a past due balance will continue to receive notice on their monthly bill that there is an unpaid past balance due, Graham said.
"We will also continue to post the shutoff date in the newspaper," she said.
"The city will not deliver doorknockers prior to shutoff."
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