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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 9.B.
For Meeting of: October 20, 2020
ITEM TITLE: Update on Utility Account Balances
SUBMITTED BY: Steve Groom, Director of Finance and Budget
James Dean, Utility Services Manager
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
An update on Utility Billing balances is attached with results through September. 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 ility filling update 1 / /2020 x uti Mammary
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- `- UTILITY SERVICES DIVISION
TO: City Council
Bob Harrison, City Manager
FROM: James Dean, Utility Services Division Manager
Steve Groom, Finance Director
DATE: October 8, 2020
RE: Update on Utility Account Balances.
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 and subsequent Governor's
Stay-At-Home Order. Receivable balances, in total, have remained in roughly the same range
through September and the number of payment arrangements has fluctuated but remained in
roughly the same range, under 200.
Utility Services bills for Water, Waste Water, Solid Waste & Irrigation on a 60-day rotating cycle.
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.
City of Yakima;
Trend in AR Aging.-31-60 days
As the graph at right shows, the trend in
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receivables for balances from July to 20
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September has fluctuated with no s°' 4 ••••'
dramatic increase as might have been
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feared due to the economic effects of the spa)
COVID event in the economy. In
3150 3160 3155 31-60 3160 3160
September, the outstanding receivables Apr May ,a„ 21 Aug 5
balance for all three services was at or Sett.Waste 55 396 11,155 49,666 66.462: 66,583 49,2,25
Wage Wale- 151,153 173,59E 111,961 140,531 174,264 107885
equal to the balances for April.
948,a8er 75,320 51.927 54.404 74,157 79,207 74 023
Receivable balances also show a City of Yakima
somewhat cyclical fluctuation. Balances Trend in AR Aging 61-90 Days
in July in the 61-90 day category were 20D,000
below or near the balances for April, and 150;000
September balances are comparable to 100,000
those in May and August. Wastewater had so ofl WSAI
overall increased compared to the
balances in earlier months and will bear 61=40 5190 5190 61990 6190 61-90
Apr Nay Jun Jut Aug Sep
further monitoring. ; 6a Waite 34,555 34,297 39,079 24,43E 47,351 41002
Wage Wa,e8 06,335 94,329 75.236 55.012 95,364 94,306
••Water 24,616 36,529 25.760 32,495 35,309 46,644
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UTILITY SERVICES DIVISION
The trend in Pay Arrangements is shown at City of Yakima utility services
right. Payment Arrangements
Pay Arrangements are established for 200
customers who will be unable to bills within 198
the seven day grace period given past the 190
due date of the bill. Pay arrangements are 185
a snap shot in time and can vary depending 180
on the day the report is generated. vs
170
There was a decrease in the number of pay igs
arrangements for July and August compare Apr May Jen Jul Aug Sep
to the 2 months however September shows
an increase back to level comparable to May. Staff continues to monitor. There are quite a few
continuing to make payments that will rotate off of this schedule.
In talking to customers,we're hearing that those who have a need are able to make arrangements.
While the Pandemic is affecting them, the suspension of shut offs and making payment
arrangements seems to fit their financial situation. Staff has met with customers at the Harman
Center 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.