By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Mona City Council members are concerned about those who
do not pay water and natural gas utilities and end up owing
the city hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
After voting at a city council meeting held in November,
council members agreed that the utilities should be
shut-off. The program was set to begin in mid-December,
after those owing money had been given one more chance to
pay-up.
It was agreed that persons could borrow the money from
the bank to pay the bill and then pay the bank back. That
would be better, was the consensus of opinion, than making
it difficult for the city to pay their bills.
"Some residents get in over their heads and then it is
difficult to pay," said Bryce Lynn, mayor.
Mona City Council members voted unanimously to turn off
the utilities, which in Mona consists of water and natural
gas, if the person not paying the bill had sufficient time
and notice to get the job taken care of.
Several notices have been sent, at the direction of the
city council, but there are those in the community who have
still not made arrangements to pay the arrears.
"If there is a valid reason someone cannot pay the
utility bill, they should contact me and make arrangements,"
said Lynn.
Those reasons would be things like a debilitating illness
or a job loss.
"Unless arrangements are made with me to delay payments,
the utilities will be shut off," said Lynn.
One person had not paid the utility bill since February
and they were thousands of dollars behind in payments.
Others owed only a few months in back payments, however,
those persons had not made a contract with the city to pay
the money.
"They need to contact me," said Lynn.
Denise Pay, city meter reader, was directed by the
council to shut-off the utilities at those homes were
arrangements had not been made. Pay is not to make special
arrangements with customers, only the mayor can do that, it
was decided.
Utah Power and Light supplies power to homes in the
community and they bill and collect from their customers
without contact with the city council.
Those who lose water and natural gas service will still
have electricity since Utah Power and Light does not allow
customers to get so far behind in payments and, therefore,
the health of children or seniors citizens who may be in the
home will not be jeopardized.
Electric heaters can be plugged in and water can be
purchased, by the gallon, from food markets.
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