South Hutchinson, KS — The City of South Hutchinson has approved Ordinance No. 26‑07, introducing a significant change to how and when water service is disconnected for unpaid accounts. The new ordinance clarifies the billing schedule, defines delinquency earlier, and sets a firm and predictable shut-off date for customers who do not pay their water bill. You can view the ordinance passed here: https://aptg.co/FGTvmp
Under the updated rules, water bills are now considered delinquent if unpaid by the 10th day of the following month after billing. Once an account becomes delinquent, the city may refuse further service and initiate shut-off procedures.
Key Change: Guaranteed Monthly Shut-Off Date
One of the most impactful changes is the establishment of a mandatory shut-off on the last business day of the month for any delinquent account. For example, if a water bill is issued in April and remains unpaid, service will be disconnected on the last business day of May.
This updated timeline aims to create consistency and ensure customers are clearly informed of when disconnection will occur.
Additional Provisions
The ordinance includes several other updates:
A 15% late charge will be added to all delinquent bills.
A $30 reconnection fee will be required before service can be restored.
All past-due amounts and fees must be paid in full before water service is reconnected.
Payments to restore service must be made using cash, money order, or credit/debit card, with cashier’s checks being the only acceptable form of check.
Customers with multiple accounts will have all accounts disconnected if any single account becomes delinquent.
Customers cannot open a new water account at another location until any delinquent account is paid in full.
Notice & Hearing Process
If an account becomes delinquent, the city clerk must issue a delinquency and termination notice within five business days, informing the customer of the amount due, the late charges, the exact disconnection date, the reconnection fee, and the customer’s right to request a hearing.
Hearing requests must be submitted in writing at least three business days before the scheduled shut-off, and a designated city official will conduct the hearing within three business days of the request.