Friday Harbor Town Council considers possible changes in utility shutoff policy – discusses accidents in town crosswalks
Monday, December 23, 2024
For a meeting held Thursday, December 19, 2024
The mayor read out a thank you letter from the Food Bank for the Town’s Harbor Life ring collection and match totaling $15,000.
In a brief work session, the financial manager noted the draft 2024 Budget Amendments and Draft 2025 budget, which was awaiting final numbers pending the outcome of union negotiations for the 2025 budget. The council had no questions. There was no comment made on either issue at the following public hearing, which was then closed.
The financial manager described a proposed change in the utility shutoff procedure to support automating the process. Currently utilities are shut off 50 days after the due date if payment is not received. The change would set standard dates. If a bill has been delinquent for 60 days, then final notices would go out on the 11th of each month and the utility would be shut off on the 25th of each month if the bill was not paid. Council members clarified that this would not shorten the overall time residents had to pay between when the bill was due and shutoff.
The Administrator noted the recent car collisions with pedestrians in town crossings. She spoke to the Sheriff, who said the recent incidents had involved older drivers driving the speed limit with pedestrians wearing dark clothing. She said they would look into getting reflective armbands to be available at public places and reminding residents to think about their visibility when out walking, especially in winter.
The town is awaiting a response on their revolving fund loan application to the state for the water treatment plant but noted the county council had approved their Public Facility Assistance grant of $500k over two years. The town uses its own public facility assistance funds for sewer plant operations.
The meeting was continued until December 30 for action on the 2024 Budget amendments and 2025 budget. The meeting was continued until December 30 for action on the 2024 Budget amendments and 2025 budget.
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