MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for Utilities - Billing and Collection

COVID-19: Where Things Stand as of September 3, 2020

September 4, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Elections , Open Public Meetings Act , Utilities - Billing and Collection , Public Records Act , COVID-19

This blog post provides an overview of recent state (and some federal) actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: Where Things Stand as of August 3

August 3, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , Utilities - Billing and Collection , Public Records Act , COVID-19

This blog post provides an overview of the governor's and the legislature's most recent actions in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington.

COVID-19: Where Things Stand as of July 2

July 3, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , Utilities - Billing and Collection , Public Records Act , COVID-19

At the beginning of July, a number of waivers and proclamations expired, were renewed, or were amended. Here are some of the highlights for local governments, including Proclamation 20-28.6 allowing limited in-person meetings for jurisdictions in Phase 3.

Proclamation 20-23.4 Directs Utilities to Develop Customer Support Programs

June 17, 2020 by Toni Nelson
Category: Utilities - Billing and Collection , COVID-19

This blog post reviews Governor Jay Inslee's recent proclamation that directs public utility service providers to create support programs for their residential customers.

COVID-19: Where Things Stand as of June 1

June 2, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , Utilities - Billing and Collection , Public Records Act , COVID-19

This blog post provides an update on recent legislative actions taken in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington, including summaries of new developments and resources.

COVID-19: Where Things Stand as of May 6

May 6, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , Utilities - Billing and Collection , Public Records Act , COVID-19

This blog post provides an overview of the the governor's and the legislature's actions in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington, including summarizing recent developments and resources.

Landlord/Tenant Issues for Water and Sewer Utilities

April 22, 2019 by Oskar Rey
Category: Utilities - Billing and Collection

In this blog post, Legal Consultant Oskar Rey provides an overview of utility billing in the landlord/tenant context per Washington State regulations.

Past Due Payments and Use of Collection Agencies

March 4, 2019 by Oskar Rey
Category: Accounting , Utilities - Billing and Collection

This blog post provides an overview of the requirements for use of a collection agency and will address some frequently asked questions that arise when doing so.

Does the Shutdown Mean Shutoffs?

January 23, 2019 by Laura Crandall
Category: Utilities - Billing and Collection

For utility deferments and fee waivers, the key is to have policies in place to avoid gifting of public funds, and to ensure that the jurisdiction is not being arbitrary in its decision-making.

Sewer Rate Structure Alternatives for Utilities

October 11, 2017 by FCS GROUP
Category: Finance Advisor , Utilities - Billing and Collection

What options are there for utilities in determining how to structure sewer usage rates, depending on the customer type? A volume-based rate option for all consumers is one, but an agency must consider which approach to take and it must make sure that such an approach aligns with organizational policy objectives.

Who Should Receive the Utility Bill, Landlords or Tenants?

January 19, 2016 by Toni Nelson
Category: Utilities - Billing and Collection

Who should receive a utility bill is just one of the many complexities local governments must determine in their utility billing procedures. This blog highlights our survey of how numerous jurisdictions handle this issue.

The Cost of Door Hangers—Utility Terminations

June 13, 2013
Category: Utilities - Billing and Collection

An article titled "No More Door Hangers for Final Notice" that appeared in the Beacon Hill Water and Sewer District Connection, Winter 2012-2013, caught my attention. I wondered how many utilities...

Collecting Delinquent Water Bills and Terminating Service

November 20, 2012 by Paul Sullivan
Category: Utilities - Billing and Collection

Many cities and towns operate their own public utilities, including water service. Unfortunately, sometimes utility customers do not pay their bills. What can be done to collect unpaid or delinquent accounts, and when can water service be shut off?

Utility Billing and Termination in the Landlord/Tenant Context

August 29, 2012 by Bob Meinig
Category: Utilities - Billing and Collection

MRSC frequently receives questions regarding the responsibilities of city utilities, particularly water, where the utility service is provided to a tenant. Here are some general considerations and some specific requirements that apply in this context that a city utility should be aware of to ensure compliance with state law and to respect the rights of both landlord and tenant: