MEDIA RELEASE
(STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA / June 3, 2020)— Stillwater City Council have approved temporary, long-term repayment options for customers who have fallen behind on their utility bill payments. Customers must contact Utility and Billing Services to set up a long-term repayment plan prior to their utility disconnection date.
“We want to work with you and get you on a path to clearing that debt, but you must take that first step and set up a repayment schedule.” Utility and Billing Services Director Dana Mattox said.
In March, city council passed a resolution to put a hold on disconnections due to nonpayment; however, that resolution has expired.
The City will return to its usual utility terms and conditions on July 17. To view the City’s utility terms and conditions, go to http://stillwater.org/document-center/detail/id/264.
Payment plans can be made by calling 405.742.8245 or email utilitypayments@stillwater.org, no additional trip to city hall is required.
If you owe: Payment Plan:
$150 or less $25 plus current bill each month until current up to six months
$151 to $500 $75 plus current bill each month until current up to seven months
$501 to $1,000 $200 plus current bill each month until current up to five months
$1,000 or more 30% plus current bill each month until current
“If you have having trouble making your payment, there are places to ask for assistance,” Mattox said. “We work with churches and nonprofit organizations who offer financial help toward utility bills to those who qualify.” Because these services vary depending on timing and available funds, it is recommended to verify aid options with members of those organizations.
Also, Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) is making changes to the current Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP) to help eligible Oklahomans pay their utility bills. Find out more about this program at http://www.okdhslive.org/.
Mattox pointed out there is a checkbox on everyone’s bill that allows people the option to donate funds to help others. “If you are on a bank draft program, call us and we can help you with that option.”
For more information about the City of Stillwater Utility Billing Services, call 405.742.8245 or email utilitypayments@stillwater.org .
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City Council to consider resuming utility disconnects, long-term payment plans at May 18 meeting
MEDIA RELEASE
(STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA / May 14, 2020) – Stillwater City Council/Stillwater Utilities Authority will consider resolutions authorizing Utility and Billing Services to reinstate the following payment and disconnect practices:
- Offer utility customers the option to enter into long-term payment plans
- Resume the cut-off notification process to customers with delinquent accounts effective May 19, 2020
- Resume disconnections effective June 2, 2020, and allow reinstatement of the 10% penalty effective July 6, 2020
According to Utility and Billing Service Director Dana Mattox, City Council passed Resolutions No. CC-2020-9 and SUA-20- on March 23 to suspend disconnections of utility services for nonpayment during the shelter-in-place phase of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
“While we can certainly sympathize with our customers who may be having financial difficulties, the March 23 resolution was intended to provide some temporary relief for our customers—not bill forgiveness,” Mattox said. “In fact, the City’s trust agreements that govern utilities do not allow for that.”
Staff estimates a monthly loss of revenue of $86,000 related to uncollected penalty, disconnect and reconnect fees for each month that previous resolutions remain in effect.
Council will discuss and may take action on the following plans:
Plan 1:
|
Past Due Balance
|
Payment
|
|
$150 or less
|
$50 plus current bill each month until current up to three months
|
|
$151-$500
|
$100 plus current bill each month until current up to five months
|
|
$501 - $1,000
|
$250 plus current bill each month until current up to four months
|
|
$1,000 & up
|
30% plus current bill each month until current
|
Plan 2:
|
Past Due Balance
|
Payment
|
|
$150 or less
|
$25 plus current bill each month until current up to six months
|
|
$151-$500
|
$75 plus current bill each month until current up to seven months
|
|
$501 - $1,000
|
$200 plus current bill each month until current up to five months
|
|
$1,000 & up
|
30% plus current bill each month until current
|
Plan 3:
Past due amount is divided over the three months (or some timeframe) plus current bill.
Also, Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) is making changes to the current Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP) to help eligible Oklahomans pay their utility bills. Find out more about this program at http://www.okdhslive.org/.
Economic Impacts of Pandemic
The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are already shaping up to be significant for the county, the state and Stillwater.
With large segments of the economy, including businesses that generate sales tax, shut down to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, the City of Stillwater’s revenues are most likely going to decline sharply. In Oklahoma, sales tax is the largest source of recurring revenue for municipalities. In Stillwater, 58% of the general fund (which is used pay for public safety, parks, street and sidewalk projects, library, and more) is from sales tax collection.
“This loss of sales tax makes the utility revenue even more critical,” Deputy City Manager/CFO Melissa Reames said. “Suspending utility disconnections was the compassionate and right thing to do, but we do have to move forward. We also have a fiduciary responsibility to Stillwater residents to continue to provide services.”
Before COVID-19 pandemic, the City was in the middle of its annual development of the FY21 budget, which begins July 1. The budget goes to city council as prepared but McNickle anticipates that the budget will be amended frequently to reflect what is happening in Stillwater.
For updates on the City of Stillwater Economic Recovery visit http://stillwater.org/page/home/government/financial-center/economic-recovery-city-plans-actions.
How to watch City Council
Residents can watch City Council meetings live on the City's Facebook Page (@CityOfStillwater), AT&T U-verse channel 99, Suddenlink channel 14 and the City of Stillwater’s YouTube Live link at youtube.com/c/CityofStillwaterTV/live.
Watch replays of meetings, see agendas and more at stillwater.org/agenda.
To contact Utility and Billing Services, call 405.742.8245 or email utilitypayments@stillwater.org.
See how the City's finances are predicted to be affected by COVID-19 and our plans for recovery at http://stillwater.org/news/view/id/557.
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