City keeps utility policy

Bonners Ferry City Council voted on Dec. 6, to keep the city’s current billing and collection policy on the upgrade requirement of external disconnects upon shutoff for non-payment.

According to Bonners Ferry Mayor David Sims, the vote was not unanimous.

Sims, who called it an unfair policy Oct. 20, during the public comment session, did not have a vote, but councilman Adam Arthur agreed and voted against the current policy, stating that he wanted to see some changes.

Councilwoman Connie Wells, along with Councilmen Rick Alonzo and Ron Smith, all voted in favor of the current policy.

The policy states that if an individual’s power is disconnected due to non-payment, and an external disconnect is not in place, it is required by city standards to install an external disconnect before the electric service will be energized.

Sims proposed an alternative to that requirement in October, recommending that the city could require the upgrade upon the sale of the property, instead of when services are disconnected due to non-payment.

Sims said he felt it was an unfair policy and that he did not think the city should require citizens to pay an additional $300 to $1,000 to have their power turned back on when they could barely afford to pay their regular bill.

“Especially,” Sims said, “when some of the city facilities don’t even have the upgraded, external disconnect.”

Sims said he checked with six neighboring utilities and found that none of them have a similar requirement and that the external disconnect is not required by the National Electric Code.

In new business, the council will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m., for public comment regarding proposed increases in water/sewer fees.

The reason for the proposed sewer rate increases are to cover the costs of operating the system, capital improvement costs, and to build up a reserve.

The reasons for the proposed water rate increases are to cover maintenance and operation costs of the system and capital improvement costs.

Both water and sewer rate increases are necessary for the city to remain compliant and meet regulatory requirements mandated by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Information: 208-267-3105.