City of Columbia sets blueprint for utility bill late fee return

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia will reinstate fees beginning Aug. 1 for late utility bill payments.

The state of emergency city manager John Glascock declared in April, 2020, put the late fees on hold due to the pandemic.

The City made the decision to reassess late charges after the City lifted its state of emergency May, 29.

"With the state of emergency being lifted at the end of May, and with a lot of things coming back to normal, we thought this was the right time to, to bring that back," said Matt Nestor, the City of Columbia Utilities spokesperson.

According to Columbia's Utility Account and Assistance Information, from Sept. 2020 to June, 2021, at the peak, there were roughly 7,800 customers late on utility bill payments. The result was $4.2 million on hold.

Since Sept. 21, 2020, the number of delinquent payments have decreased, the majority of the time.

At last check on June 22, there were 4,244 customers late on payments costing the city $756,740.

Columbia resident Jaylen Lewis says it's still too soon for those struggling.

"With that late fee, that person is able to save some money for background so they can buy clothes, food, or like, you know, buy pampers for their baby or anything... that would help a lot," Lewis said.

As part of the City ordinances,

If a customer's bill is not paid in full by the date payment is due, the bill for the next billing period shall include a late charge equal to three percent of the amount remaining unpaid on the due date of the preceding billing period. Late charges shall not be assessed against the balance due on a delinquent account if the customer is current on the payments required by a settlement agreement for the account. Late charges shall not be assessed against the balance due on a delinquent account if the service has been disconnected.

Chapter 27, Section 19 (f) of the City of Columbia ordinances

Customers will also receive a past-due notice - including a possible disconnection-of-services date - if the past-due amount is not paid in full.

Services may be disconnected for nonpayment after 30 days from the original due date.

If the account remains disconnected for 30 more days, the City will deactivate the account and send the past-due amount to the City’s contracted collection agency.

Utility customers who have questions about their utility bills or about potential payment assistance can contact Utility Customer Services at 573.874.7380 or UCS@CoMo.gov.