The City Council voted to adopt several measures aimed at providing relief to residents and local business during its April 20 meeting, including a waiver of utility late fees and business license fee reductions.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on residents and businesses, the City Council has instructed city staff to waive the standard 10 percent late fee for utility bills due on March 31, April 30, and May 31, 2020 and not paid 10 days after the due date.
The city will continue to accept partial payments and emphasized that it does not disconnect water supplies to properties for late or non-payment. Payment delinquencies for utilities are posted to a property’s taxes in order to provide temporary breathing room for those unable to pay.
Additionally, the City Council voted to directly refund a six-week portion of annual on-sale liquor license fees and directed staff to begin the process of amending the city fee schedule to lower 2020-21 license fees for massage therapy establishments, massage therapists, and tobacco licenses for stores that were closed as part of the Governor’s stay-home order. This action will return $25,633 directly to on-sale liquor license holders and reduce fees for massage therapy establishments, massage therapists, and tobacco shops by a total of $5,650.