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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> look into any particular case if you have any questions. The new software will do that more <br /> automatically and it is going to be fantastic. If you didn't pay and you were disconnected, after <br /> about seven (7) to fourteen (14) days go by, your account would terminate, and a final bill would <br /> be sent out. <br /> Committeemember Williams-Preston followed up, That is why I was glad to hear about the new <br /> software. I called the water company and I don't remember who I talked to, but they were saying <br /> the billing system isn't set up to turn it off. In this particular case, someone didn't have water going <br /> to their house. They were using their neighbor's shower and everything else for like four (4) or <br /> five(5)months. Then they called, and they could never pay that past due balance. <br /> Ms. Thompson stated, It is the case that someone has to actually do it in the software. It has to be <br /> reviewed and turned off. You are right. <br /> Committeemember Williams-Preston followed up, I see. So, if they didn't know, it could have <br /> continued to bill? <br /> Ms. Thompson replied, It could. Also, if a customer had a leak, it could make it look like there is <br /> active service there. So, there are different scenarios that happen but if that person comes and asks <br /> about it, we would take a look into that. People can dispute that. <br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked, On your deposit policy, am I correct that there will be a <br /> change as of July 1st? Could you please emphasize the change itself? <br /> Ms. Thompson replied, The change will be collecting the deposit before we start service. Right <br /> now, and for the past two (2)years, we have billed the deposit on the first(1St) or second (2°d)bill. <br /> What we've found is it dosen't make a very effective deposit if it is billed a few months after <br /> services are started. So, we do have cases where someone comes in, starts service, has service for <br /> two (2) months, they are disconnected, they didn't ever pay the deposit and so they leave with a <br /> few hundred dollars of debt that is never collected. So, that is a change. As a condition of starting <br /> service, at least the first (1St) seventy dollars ($70) of the deposit will be collected. The balance <br /> will then be billed. <br /> Councilmember Broden followed up, I'm curious of other cities and the impact of this legislation. <br /> Do other cities bundle charges for services, characteristically on the same bill? <br /> Mr. Horvath replied, It really depends on the area. There are a number of municipalities that have <br /> a private water company, so,they wouldn't have that. But, for those entities that have sewer,water <br /> and trash, it is most commonly all on one (1) bill because you are sending out one (1) bill. There <br /> are six (6) costs associated with billing that are reduced by putting those all on one(1). <br /> Councilmember Broden then asked, Do you anticipate any revenue impact from this measure in <br /> terms of collections?Previously,there was a land or home owner,now this is flipping to the tenant, <br /> at least on the water portion. <br /> Mr. Horvath replied, That was one(1) of our initial concerns, quite honestly. We were concerned <br /> that by having certain ones that weren't paid and were uncollectable, on a cost per service basis <br /> model, all of those costs get paid by the rate payers. So, what that does is that those folks paying <br /> EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 227W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 1574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov <br /> 4 <br />