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11 <br /> Todd Taylor said yes, that is correct, and during those two months, OWASA makes <br /> many attempts to reach the customer and work out a plan to get the debt settled. He said there <br /> are options to help customers such as payment plans, third party assistance, etc. He said shut <br /> off is a final tool to try to secure payment. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked what happens after water is shut off, and OWASA is left <br /> with unpaid accounts. <br /> Todd Taylor said most often customers pay the bill, but sometimes customers move out <br /> of the service area, or simply do not have the means to pay the bill. He said the next step is to <br /> engage a third party collections agency. He said State law forbids OWASA from forgiving the <br /> debt, or using other customer monies to pay off the debt. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if a judgement in Court has ever been served to <br /> individuals who are unable to pay. <br /> Todd Taylor said he does not think this has ever happened. He said if an account goes <br /> to a collections agency, it is difficult for the customer to secure service in any other areas. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if the collection agencies receive some percentage of the <br /> bill. <br /> Todd Taylor said he is unsure, but assumes this is correct. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if clarification could be provided on accounts that are in <br /> arrears, but are participating in a payment plan of sorts. <br /> Todd Taylor said OWASA works with these customers, keeping the service intact as <br /> payment plans are paid off. <br /> Commissioner McKee said there are about 500 accounts in arrears, and asked if the <br /> total number of OWASA customer accounts is known. <br /> Todd Taylor said OWASA has 22,000 service accounts, but the previously referenced <br /> 562 accounts are specifically residential. He said the 22,000 accounts include commercial <br /> accounts. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if having 562 accounts in arrears is higher than normal. <br /> Todd Taylor said yes. <br /> Commissioner McKee said the PowerPoint presentation referenced $5.4 million of <br /> capital projects that are delayed, and asked if these are critical projects, and if the cost of these <br /> projects will only double in cost with the passage of time. <br /> Todd Taylor said all the projects are critical, and OWASA has just moved them out in its <br /> timeline. He said these projects will have to be done, and the cost to do so will ultimately <br /> increase customer rates. He said the longer these projects are delayed, the more they will cost. <br /> He said there has been no rate increase this year, which will lead to a higher rate increase down <br /> the line. <br /> Commissioner McKee said the infrastructure cannot be delayed too long. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton clarified that standard collection procedures will not resume until <br /> the spring. <br /> Todd Taylor said the resumption of Standard Collection practices is connected to when <br /> the County ends its declared state of emergency. He said resumption will occur 30 days after <br /> the state of emergency ends, as long as it is not in place for many months (a year). <br /> Commissioner Hamilton said customers will have debts to pay, and asked if OWASA will <br /> work out payment plans. <br /> Todd Taylor said yes, and the payment plans will likely be 12 to 18 months long. <br /> Commissioner Hamilton said this seems realistic, as Covid will have far reaching <br /> impacts. She referred to the capital projects, and asked if a large part of the reduction in <br /> revenue is really due to UNC not using as much water as is typical. <br /> Todd Taylor said he does not know of a monetary amount, but UNC typically makes up <br /> 20% of OWASA's water sales. He said this is having the biggest impact on OWASA. <br />