Dunkirk sets its billing policy

Dunkirk city officials are creating a plan to resume late fees and shut-offs for nonpayment of utility bills.

Dunkirk City Council voted Monday to move forward with amending its utility ordinance to allow payment plans for outstanding balances.  

It also heard that the Fourth of July fireworks are still scheduled to take place next month.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb issued an executive order March 19 that prohibited utility providers from discontinuing services to customers. Since then, Dunkirk has not charged late fees or shut off residents’ utilities for nonpayment. 

According to the most recent guidance from the state, this protection will end June 30. The city will give residents at least 30 days to pay their outstanding balances before shut-offs will resume, council decided Monday.

On July 1, residents will receive a utility bill that will be due July 15, with late fees beginning to accrue after that. However, the city will not charge late fees for any accrued charges during the time period between March 19 and June 30.

Clerk-treasurer Tina Elliott told council she didn’t know the exact number, but that there some customers that are behind on their payments.

“There is a lot of money that’s not been paid,” Elliott said. “There’s a lot of people up there in the $400, $500 category.”

About a month ago, the clerk’s office mailed a letter to those with outstanding balances, informing them that they would have 30 days to pay following the end of the grace period. Elliott also noted that some have not received their stimulus check yet, and that she has heard from several residents who are currently out of work as a result of the pandemic.

Council voted to have city attorney Wes Schemenaur write an amendment to the utility ordinance allowing for residents to be placed on payment plans because of a state of emergency. Currently, the ordinance only allows for payment plans in the event of a leak. Council members will vote on the change at its July 13 meeting.

It was also announced Monday that, barring any drastic changes in health and safety guidelines, Dunkirk will be having Independence Day fireworks July 4. Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins said the city will receive $2,500 from Jay County Commissioners to help cover the cost of the event.

In other business, council members Jesse Bivens, Lisa Street, Tom Johnson, Bryan Jessup and Kevin Hamilton: 

•Approved several purchases for Dunkirk City Pool. Dunkirk Park Board voted to keep the pool closed this summer and is using the time to upgrade the pool. Approved was the purchase of a new chlorine feeder for the pool from Spear Corporation for $4,650; Johnson estimated the old system is at least 20 years old. Also approved was the installation of new electrical panels by Wilson Heating, Electric & Cooling for $2,195 and the purchase of a Wysiwash sanitizing system for $207.33 from Spear Corporation.

•Received copies of requested 2021 budgets for each department. They were asked to review the budget and be prepared to discuss it at July’s meeting.

•Learned that the contract with the volunteer firefighters has been signed.

•Heard Bivens express his thanks to city employees for their work recently, including repairing damaged sewer lines.

•Approved additional appropriations to the police remodeling and equipment funds, the street machinery fund and the cigarette tax, which were inadvertently left off the 2020 budget.