City Somewhat Reduces Late Water Bill Fine on Residential Customers

SAN ANGELO, TX — A campaign promise was granted Tuesday at the City of San Angelo Council meeting.

The City Council unanimously approved changing the water bill late fee from a flat $25 to 18% of the bill, which equals about $20 for low-usage customers.

Residential water customers have been bristling about the high late fee, which in most cases exceeded 25 percent of the late bill. The late fee is applied to the next water bill, often pushing a residential home’s water bill above $100.

The change to 18 percent late fee is somewhat of a relief for some late-paying customers.

During the 2017 city elections, Mayor Brenda Gunter told the Home Builders Association, “As a citizen, I will tell you my first thought when you asked the question is relative to politicians. And that is, [have] you [ever] known a politician who raised a rate [to] ever reduce that rate? It hasn't happened very often in history,” Gunter said last week.  “So I think you have to be a little nervous about statements like ‘there is a plan in place,’ because generally the plan stays in place and the rates don’t get reduced because there is always another reason why they need that money.”

The late fee decrease may not be a net reduction, as it will target larger customers with higher late fees. But at least regular residential customers will get some relief.