City of La Grange to End Bill Relief Program

The City of La Grange will discontinue its utility billing relief program at the end of this month.

The City Council voted to suspend late fees and utility disconnects back in April as a way of offering some relief to citizens who lost income during the coronavirus shutdowns. At the time, Council authorized the relief program for the months of March, April, May and June. The City also offered affected customers payment plans for regular utility fees.

At a City Council meeting on Monday, May 25, City Manager Shawn Raborn said “less than 10” customers have not contacted the City to set up a payment plan for their bills.

“We’ve tried reaching out to them on numerous occasions to work out a payment plan,” Raborn said. He asked Council for authorization to reinstate utility disconnects.

“We want to make them subject to disconnects in the event that they make no effort to respond to the City,” he said. “The majority of our customers are doing very well. They’ve set up payment plans when needed or are paying in accordance with our established policy.”

Council voted unanimously to reinstate utility disconnects and late fees. Raborn said customers who have not paid their bills must do so or set up a payment plan by the end of June to avoid a utility disconnect.

In other business, Council hired the Bojorquez Law Firm to assist in the review of the City’s Home Rule Charter. The City Council typically reviews the Charter every ten years. The La Grange General Services Committee began the process back in March and recommended a legal review. Raborn said the Bojorquez Law Firm would make sure the Charter does not conflict with changes in state law that have occurred since the last Charter review. Changes to the Charter could require voter approval. Raborn said the law firm would also handle ballot and election issues if an election is required. Raborn said the legal review would cost the City between $5,000 and $10,000.

Also at Monday’s meeting, Council voted unanimously to reappoint John “Honza” Cernosek as the mayor pro tem.