November 3, 2016 (Flint, Mich) — Phase II of the Water Relief program is coming to a close in the City of Flint and the due date for payment on commercial utility accounts is Friday, November 4th. So far, the City has received payments of the amount due on 158 accounts. These customers will again receive the 20% water relief credit on their next bill water and will be removed from the preliminary shut-off list.
“The City of Flint is pleased many commercial customers have done the right thing and made the required payment as we cannot sustain our progress while customers receiving water and sewer services do not pay their bills,” said David Sabuda Flint’s Interim Chief Financial Officer. “We are working to maximize the benefits to all our customers and those not paying their water/sewer bills are jeopardizing the services we provide. I appreciate the landlords who have stepped forward, acknowledged their responsibility to their tenants, and paid the monthly payment plus 10% of the past due balance.”
State of Michigan Public Act 268 of 2016 states, “Reimbursement to the water enterprise fund… equal to credits posted after September 1, 2016… can only be made if the overall collection rate for combined water and sewer billings exceed 70%.”
At present, 101 commercial customers have yet to pay the required monthly payment, plus 10% of the past due balance and could be placed on the shut-off list to be processed next week. The City of Flint is working to achieve a 70% collection rate to fund critical infrastructure needs and maintain the water relief credits that are appropriated through December 31, 2016. City officials have made a request to the State Treasury Department asking that the water relief credits be extended until the water in Flint is declared safe to drink straight from the tap without a filter, but right now the unexpended appropriation for the water relief credits is set to lapse on December 31.
City leaders stress that water shut offs at any apartment buildings would be an absolutely last resort. The Administration is looking at every option to prevent shut offs, including taking landlords to court.
Flint utility customers that still need to pay on their outstanding balance should come to City Hall to discuss payment options with a representative in the Customer Service Center. Customers with questions can also call the Customer Service Center at (810) 766-7015.
