In September 2010, the City of Fillmore increased the length of time customers had to pay their utility bills to 31 calendar days. This time increase, coupled with four existing billing cycles, created an increase in outstanding accounts receivables, as customers could not be billed until time had passed for payment of the current account and their delinquent balance. This system also decreased the amount of cash the Water and Sewer Funds have available to pay expenditures. It has also increased the number of delinquent accounts by increasing the length of time for billing and delaying when bills are mailed, making it more difficult to collect past due balances. To remedy this billing issue, the City Council has changed the length of time a customer has to pay their utility bill from 31 calendar days to 19 calendar days.

In the event an account becomes delinquent, the City will mail a notice five days prior to the water being shut off, giving the customer notice that water will be shut off if the account is not paid by the date specified. A door hanger will be used only when the water is shut off.

In summary:
• Payments will be due 19 days from the utility billing date

• The delinquent notice is now a Five Day Final Notice, and if payment is not received by the 5th day at 4 p.m., service will be disconnected on the next business day

• There will no longer be a yellow door hanger prior to disconnection

Please contact the City of Fillmore at 805-524-3701 if you have any questions about these new procedures.