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Home My WebLink About04/06/2021 13B Update on Utility Account Balances to\'4\lyy tbxk ik 1 d + PPP P P p P 1 PPi ittYlltYlt.\ta. BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 13.B. For Meeting of:April 6, 2021 ITEM TITLE: Update on Utility Account Balances SUBMITTED BY: Steve Groom, Director of Finance and Budget James Dean, Utility Services Division Manager SUMMARY EXPLANATION: An update on Utility Billing balances, an economic indicator of citywide ability to pay utility bills, is attached with results through February. The suspension of water shutoffs due to nonpayment continues to be in effect. No further action by Council is recommended at this time. ITEM BUDGETED: NA STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Trust and Accountability APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION: Review only. Submitted for routine transparency and accountability purposes. ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type D onthly lJtility balance E e rt-Feb 1 /3 / 1 r Me o 2 15 n% - °- UTILITY SERVICES DIVISION TO: City Council Bob Harrison, City Manager FROM: James Dean, Utility Services Division Manager Vanesa Sanchez, Utility Services Supervisor Steve Groom, Finance Director DATE: March 31, 2021 RE: Update on Utility Account Balances- February This is to provide feedback on the economic impact of the COVID-19 emergency on the City's Utility Services Billing, since the emergency declaration in March 2020 and subsequent Governor's Stay-At-Home Order. The primary question being answered is, generally are city residents able to pay their utility bills? Receivable balances, in total, have fluctuated. The number of payment arrangements has also fluctuated but this month decreased to 99 from 107 last month, indicating more customers able to pay their account. Shut-offs for non-payment are still suspended, meaning that we are not enforcing payment using shut-offs. Utility Services bills for Water, Waste Water, Solid Waste & Irrigation on a 60-day rotating cycle, meaning bills are for 2 months of service. Approximately 10,000 of our customers are served by Nob Hill Water Association and are only billed for Waste Water and or Solid Waste services. The division also prepares invoices for the Storm Water utility which are billed initially through Yakima County as part of the property taxes. As the graph at right shows, the trend in city of Yakima receivables for 31-60-day balances from August to Trend in AR Aging-31-60 days February has fluctuated. Although there is $a°° 0 $250,0%seasonality to billing, citywide, a growing balance ., {VW 5290,a20 greaterinability payoutstanding $15a,0% would indicate to a m $100.000 r: .... balances and a declining balance would indicate ',. 3sn:ca that citywide balances are being paid to a greater 31 no n on n.no }:60 31 65 °,1-ca 3160 degree. The economic effects of the COVID event °" 1,1r °" "°" 01G 3,36 F°a 11t Wnzte 33 433 44223 01,59 137,270 97,423 t32.551. 6_,197 in the economy have created varying results. For '''''wagetVat53 174.244 307..333 122.6°3 236 d42. 201,231 24 324 203,061 February, the outstanding receivables balances ° °' ' °" 91'°'° °'` ° `°°"° sh''E5 for Solid Waste, Wastewater and Water are all down compared to prior month, suggesting customers are able to pay their outstanding balances. Receivable balances in February in the 61-90-day city of Yakima category continue to vary roughly in the range Trend in AR Aging 61-90 Days seen in the prior six months. Balances in this range S290,000 indicate unpaid balances for two billing cycles. For sisn,m2 February, the outstanding receivables balances $100.00 for Solid Waste, Wastewater and Water are all sso:2 o V m. IL .� down compared to prior month, suggesting ,1 90 6194 tis011 gq 3, 61136 3193 619°. al 90 '..63'fi outstanding balances are being paid down. `10° °°. 1d1 F£° SankWsse 1?351 41007. 23,0is 5,273 52,312: 46,e4t 34,079 33 Wei e:SY31E! 95364 543±5. 76,681 55.:3/5. 165248 3 Or.309 3n505 ;rAatet. 35;163 4.6,,43. 49355 57:752 53,556. 54,3JJ 94,203 3 UTILITY SERVICES DIVISION The trend in Pay Arrangements is shown at right, City of Yakima-UtflltyServices an indicator for the general economic health of the Payment Arrangements city, to the degree that this measures the number 250 of citizens having difficulty paying their utility bills. 200 Pay Arrangements are established for customers iso who will be unable to pay bills within the seven- lop day grace period given past the due date of the o :' bill. Pay arrangements are a snapshot in time and can vary depending on the day the report is Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb generated. There was a slight decrease in the number of pay arrangements for February, compared to the prior month, and a continuing of the downward trend, suggesting that more customers are able to pay their outstanding current balances. Staff continues to make efforts, in talking to customers, to identify those who have a need and to make payment arrangements. Staff has met with customers by appointment in order to assist with setting up online payments. As always, please forward customer inquiries to Utility Services Division. Customers are encouraged to call (509) 575-6080.