City proposal extends Bloomington’s ban on utility shutoffs until end of September

Posted on September 13, 2021

*The city council is expected to vote on the extension at its meeting, set for 6 p.m. Monday on the fourth floor of the Government Center in Downtown Bloomington. (WJBC file photo)*

BLOOMINGTON – The latest surge in COVID-19 cases is prompting City of Bloomington staff to recommend a continuation of its ban on utility shutoffs.

City aldermen Monday night are being asked to extend the ban until the end of this month, but staffers said it’s likely to be the last “blanket moratorium” even if there’s another spike in COVID cases. That’s because the city manager has authority to enact special repayment plans and other terms for people who are late paying their utility bills due to pandemic-related financial hardships.

“The brief extension of the moratorium will allow City staff time to put into place the necessary protocols to restart the shutoff process, including possible exemptions where warranted,” the staff’s memo to the council said.

The memo went one to say that “extending the moratorium on shutoffs could create a greater debt owed to the City, that may be potentially uncollectible.”

The financial strength of the City; however, rests with its residents, and it is hoped that this will be of assistance during a time of great need, and therefore will be of benefit to the entire City in the long term,” the staffers’ memo also said.

The city council is expected to vote on the extension at its meeting, set for 6 p.m. Monday on the fourth floor of the Government Center in Downtown Bloomington.

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