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City Council Meeting Minutes June 18, 2020 <br />Against: 0 <br />MAIN MOTION: to approve the joint letter, as amended. The motion carried <br />by the following vote: <br />For: 7 - Council Member Derrick, Mayor Hughson, Mayor Pro Tem Mihalkanin, Council <br />Member Marquez, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Rockeymoore, Council Member Baker <br />and Council Member Gonzales <br />Against: 0 <br />10. Receive a Staff presentation and hold discussion regarding the return to normal utility <br />billing operations for non-payment, and provide direction to Staff. <br />Victoria Runkle, Interim Finance Director provided a presentation regarding <br />the standard utility service procedures during the COVID 19 pandemic. In <br />March Council agreed to not terminate any utility services for a period of 90 <br />days, this expires on June 22. Staff is seeking direction on next steps. <br />Ms. Runkle stated that the City currently has over 1,000 customers owing <br />$500,000 in outstanding bills that are 60 or more days overdue. Of these, <br />approximately 300 are commercial accounts and 250 customers are making <br />payment arrangements. <br />There are a number of reasons to "restart" our normal procedures. <br />* It is difficult for people to catch up, if they get too far behind <br />* There will soon be an influx of new customers, and we want consistent <br />procedures <br />* Equity: There are customers who are paying <br />* Rating agencies review outstanding accounts as a "financial management" <br />indicator <br />* Auditors will want to know if our late or uncollectible accounts increase - <br />why? And remedial actions? <br />There are Resources to help people <br />* There are several social service agencies who can help people with their <br />outstanding utility bills <br />* We work with both residents and businesses to make long term payment <br />arrangements <br />* Examining options to use some COVID money to help customers <br />* City financially supports a Community Action Fund to help people pay their <br />outstanding bill and there is currently $93,000 available. <br />Staff would restart slowly and follow standard practices that include: Working <br />City of San Marcos Page 14 <br />