2. Deliquent Water and Sewer AccountsCity of Kalispell
Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell. Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406)758--7700 Fax (4€36)755-7758
Date: October 7, 2003
TO: Mayor Kennedy and City Council
From: Amy Robertson, Finance Director 4
RE: Delinquent accounts —current procedure
The computer generates a report showing delinquent accounts. Clerks review for
accuracy and prepare a "Notice of Delinquent Account" letter which is sent to the
property owner. Approximately 150 letters a month are sent. A sample: letter is attached.
The letter gives them a weep to pay. The clerks maintain the list and cross off names as
people come in to pay. On the 8"' clay the clerks manually fill out the tags with the
service location, account number and date. public works sends an employee to post all of
the tags. Generally there are 50- 60 tags and there have been as many as 85. Obviously
this can take all day to go to each house;. The following morning is exceptionally busy
with people coming in to pay or cailing to make arrangements. Generally if they call and
ask to pay on a different day (payday) or make some arrangement we allow them to do
that. If they do not follow thru then we will shut them off. Those that make no attempt
are turned off. Public works employees do the turn offs and then usually have to return to
turn the water back on after payment is made. Currently the turn on fee is S20 unless it is
after hours. Ater hour turn ons result when the caller contacts dispatch and they call out
a public works employee to turn them on. They then must pay first thing in the morning.
We find thatmost of the people we tag are repeat offenders — 85%. They wait until they
are tagged to pay the bill. If we had a tag fee many of those folks would pay when they
got the letter but before, they were tagged. This would save the office and public works
the time; and expense of tagging the house. The clerks know all of these people by name
and the files are full of notes and excuses. They have heard them all.
Q City of Kalispell
Fost office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406)758-7700 Fax (406)758-7758
10/07/03
*** NOTICE OF DELINQUENT ACCOUNT **
ACCOUNT NUMBER:
SERVICE ADDRESS:
IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS, WE HAVE DISCOVERED
THAT YOUR BILL IS MORE THAN 30 DAYS PAST DUE. Please be advised
that you have until 10/23/03 to pay your past due bill plus your
current bill, or make satisfactory arrangements for payment with
the WATER DEPARTMENT.
PAST DUE: 69.91 CURRENT: .00 TOTAL DUE: 69.91
If payment is not received, or arrangements made for payment, your
service will be terminated. If your water service is disconnected,
there is a $20.00 'TURN ON CHARGE' IN ADDITION TO YOUR BILL, WHICH
MUST BE PAID PRIOR TO RETURNING SERVICES.
If we have not received payment by 1:00 pm on 10/23/03 , your
services will be terminated.
Your cooperation is appreciated.
Sincerely,
City of Kalispell Water Department
Phone: 406/758-7745