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City Council Meeting Minutes June 18, 2020 <br />with residents and commercial customers on payment arrangements, not <br />terminating service during difficult weather conditions, continue to work with <br />service agencies and others to determine if we can offer more help to <br />customers, once school begins, we want a standard practice to ensure everyone <br />understands the processes <br />Council Member Baker stated that with the count cases increasing, he does not <br />support restarting the process and suggests extending for an additional 60 <br />days. <br />Mayor Hughson inquired about a payment plan and what kind of plan can be <br />worked out? Ms. Runkle stated that customers are sent to Community Action <br />for eligibility and City works with the payment plan and these typically last <br />between 3-6 months, not a long term program. The biggest challenge is when <br />people get too far behind, that is why we like to intervene early. There can be a <br />combination of payment plans utilized by citizens. <br />Council Member Rockeymoore commented on an email that he received from <br />a citizen and shared with Council earlier today. This citizen spoke of the very <br />topic Council is discussing and he mentioned she is on a fixed income and is <br />staying at home because of COVID-19. She is seeing the price increase and it is <br />hard to pay for everything with her fixed income. Mr. Rockeymoore stated <br />there is no turning to normal anytime soon as the economy will not recover <br />quickly. He is not in support of restarting the process during hot summer <br />months. He would like to see payment arrangements extended into the fall. <br />Council Member Gonzales would like to extend the delay 60 - 90 days. <br />However, he would like to negotiate to pay for half because in three months <br />things may be worse and we do not need to over bill them. Mayor Hughson <br />inquired if forgiveness is an option. Ms. Runkle stated this is not an option <br />and if a customer doesn't pay it is turned over to collections. Council Member <br />Gonzales asked what is the percentage that the City receives once it goes to <br />collections? Ms. Runkle stated that at her last place of employment the <br />collection agency received 20% plus a fee but not sure how much the city of <br />San Marcos receives but she will find out. Council Member Gonzales suggested <br />whatever the percentage the city would receive if sent to collections is what the <br />customer would pay. <br />Council Member Derrick said we could have some type of incentive and the <br />communication team could assist with promoting a particular payment plan. <br />For instance we could market it like a "limited time offer" if you act now. This <br />City of San Marcos Page 15 <br />