CROTHERSVILLE — For a while now, Crothersville Utilities customers have had until the 15th of each month to pay their bill.
For those with an outstanding balance from the prior month, the bill is due by noon on the 15th or service will be scheduled for disconnect. Late penalties are added on the 16th of each month.
Starting with the March billing cycle, Crothersville Utilities will no longer be sending late and disconnect notices after the due date.
Clerk-Treasurer Danieta Foster said this move will save the town $2,500 to $3,000 a year. On a monthly basis, around 200 late notices are sent out, which takes postage, paper and ink.
First Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Michele Teipen said they are going through a lot of money doing that, including the price of stamps increasing over time, so this change will save a lot of money.
“Michele and I are going to start only sending bills,” Foster said. “We’re not going to send the disconnect notices.”
A note about the change indicating the due date and when disconnects will apply will be on the utility bills next month.
Disconnects will begin at noon on the 15th unless it is a Wednesday, Friday or holiday. In those cases, disconnects will begin at 7:30 a.m. on the next business day.
“As clerk-treasurer and office manager for Crothersville Utilities, I do not like having to disconnect service to anyone,” Foster said in a post on the town’s Facebook page. “If you are having a hardship, please come in and talk to me and see if we can work something out to keep you from a disruption in service. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”
For information, call Crothersville Town Hall at 812-793-2311.