Council Approves Appeal Process

The Sidney City Council Wednesday, April 1, approved amending the City's appeals process for utility payment to include residents impacted by the corornavirus.

The decision was made in a nearly two-hour Zoom - an audio/visual virtual networking program - meeting with each council member, staff and attendee taking part from a remote location. The primary discussion point on the agenda is "Utility Disconnect for Non-payment, Procedures for Domestic Subscribers." At issue is how the City can respond to residents hit hard with the loss of wages resulting from the COVID-19. Several businesses have had to cut staffing due to orders of no more than 10 in a business at one time, or in the case of food service, carry-out, curbside or delivery only.

At the start of the meeting Mayor Roger Gallaway said this size of community has options in style of government: one is with an elected mayor who is hands-on with day-to-day activities and the other is a council and city manager. Sidney is a council-city manager government, which means the city manager oversees the day-to-day business and the council has limited authority on the daily functions.

"Sometimes I think there's a misconception that the mayor can call a lot of the shots," Gallaway said. "That's simply not true."

David Scott, Finance Director and Interim City Manager, said the City was contacted about past-due utility bills during the last cycle. He said the City decided to forego the physical disconnection of services, although notices will still be sent. He said the City has had a procedure in place for residents unable to pay because of health issues. The proposal discussed by council April 1 would include residents who are in financial strain resulting from COVID-19 reductions. The proposal is for an appeals process including COVID-19 impact. Scott said the process does not forgive payments. It defers payments.

Vice-Mayor Joe Arterburn asked if residents appealing their bills will need documentation proving the impact on their household income. Scotts said customers will need to show they have been affected: loss of job, significant reduction in work hours, no unemployment yet.

"We have to have some kind of checks and balances," he said.

He added the hope is this will be short-term remedy with the Stimulus package approved by Congress due to be sending checks. Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard said the Federal Stimulus package includes an extra $600 per week for unemployment benefits.

Mike Palmer, Sidney's Electric Superintendent, reminded council of the LIEAP program. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program assists low income households stay safe and healthy with financial assistance to offset the costs of heating and cooling. LIEAP can be reached by http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/ACCESSNebraska.aspx, 10402-552-6645, or 1-800-383-4278.

The meeting also included a discussion on the impact to property owners who rent residential units and renters are unable to make their utility bills. Council and staff attending the Zoom meeting discussed sending notices to property owners and renters, possibly just a notice of pending disconnect.

Scott reminded council the issue under discussion is the appeals process.

The council approved the changes to the appeals process 5-0.