HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/15/2021 15B Update on Utility Account Balances 1
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 15.B.
For Meeting of: June 15, 2021
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 April. 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
Update on Itchy balances 1212021 r Me
2
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: May 14, 2021
RE: Update on Utility Account Balances —April 2021
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 increased to 82 from 75 last month.
Shut-offs for non-payment are still suspended, meaning that we are not enforcing payment
using suspension of service.
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.
City of Yakima
As the graph at right shows, the trend in Trend in ARAgtng 31sodays
receivables for 31-60-day balances from October s 0000a
to April has fluctuated. There is seasonality to sea°•x° —
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billing and the economic effects of the COVID $150;000
event in the economy have created varying sw°•wao US woos. ••
ssa•000
results. Generally, though, the outstanding so
3b9� 31-60 6667 3160 3153 3160 3159
receivables balances for Solid Waste,Wastewater '1 077 6,07 07- Feb 7rx AP,
59
and Water are all trending down compared to prior 176Ow " 2553 21957 52 1V 214a`51 6 1s2 68"5 "53
N Waxe 14 aitr 127,E53 2a9;352 2Pi,2 A e#i i2d N3,Wi Sse,l't£ i2J P31
month, suggesting customers are able to pay their 6rioe 16 643 ea 306 56•4:6 63668 677/65 51.106 36,036
outstanding balances.
Receivable balances in April in the 61-90-day City of Yakima
category continue to vary roughly in a steady Trend AR Aging s1 so Day
$200.000
range. Balances in this range indicate unpaid ti ao
balances for two billing cycles. For April, the 9, eo _
outstandingreceivables balances for Solid Waste,
550:000 �....
Wastewater and Water are all down compared to so
prior month, suggesting outstanding balances are 61Y 1
69 61P P2, 613 fi'�` 6Apr
DaNav � Fes. Ws, 6
being paid down. 931a Was{e 2E0'5 52,27. 77,322 4S�2E0 as.073 47 726 33,2,5
ry Wacte13atet 30655 65515 195a45 132595 64595 105595 54256
N t4diet 4x3a5 57•76t 5 550 54"07 77276 67 56 3%632
3
UTILITY SERVICES DIVISION
The trend in Pay Arrangements is shown at right, cityotvakima ututysearces
an indicator for the general economic health of the Payment Arrangements
city, to the degree that this measures the number 200
of citizens having difficulty paying their utility bills.
150
Pay Arrangements are established for customers
who will be unable to pay bills within the seven- too
day grace period given past the due date of the so
bill. Pay arrangements are a snapshot in time and
can vary depending on the day the report is Oct Nov Dec .an Feb Mar Apr
generated.
There was a slight increase in the number of pay arrangements for April, compared to the prior
month, but a generally-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.