Iola ponders changes to past-due bills policy

City Council members share mixed reactions to proposed changes in how the city deals with past-due bills.
They promised to look at some of the specifics further before making any decisions.

By

Local News

February 11, 2020 - 11:17 AM

Iola City Council members are, from left, Nickolas Kinder, Kim Peterson, Steve French, Mark Peters, Nancy Ford, Carl Slaugh, Mauor Jon Wells, Ron Ballard and Eugene Myrick. Courtesy photo

Iola City Council members will look at some, but not all, of the proposals proffered by Humanity House on how to change how the city charges customers for past-due utility bills.

Council members were mixed in their reactions Monday night to an appeal by Tracy Keagle and Georgia Masterson, founders of the non-profit, who asked the city consider allowing customers with past-due bills to make up their debt through either payment plans; changing the monthly due date for their bills; reducing late and utility reconnect fees; or eliminating fees associated with sending out subsequent notices.

Since its formation in 2017, Humanity House has helped roughly 1,000 families pay their utility bills, Keagle noted, to the tune of more than $40,000 annually.

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