By Ryan Storz
Minutes from the Leasburg Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 1 provide explanation on the board’s utility late fee policy.
It was reported two weeks ago that trustees had established a new policy regarding reconnection and disconnection of the utilities. The policy was posted outside of village hall on Feb. 1.
Board chairperson Kathy Byrd said at the meeting that the village had been experiencing numerous issues with people thinking that, on disconnect day, they can come to village hall and pay their bill without a reconnection fee since Jared Boast and Buddy Higgins of Boast Enterprises are still in the area.
Village attorney Dave Smith said that he agreed with the policy, but it has to be enforced with no exceptions or provided with exceptions.
Smith said that, if exceptions were made for one and not for others, it would be hard for arbitrary enforcement of the village policy, if changed.
He also said that it would be to the village’s benefit to draft a letter or notice to the residents stating this is not a new ordinance but an ordinance that the village is uniformly enforcing and giving notice to the residents. He suggested sending the letter or notice out on Mar. 1 with the monthly invoices.
The policy states that all utilities will be due by the fourth Monday of the month by 8 a.m. and disconnects will be handled by Boast Enterprises as the first order of business.
Once the service has been disconnected, reconnection will not be established until the utilities bill has been paid plus a $75 reconnection fee.
It will cost $62.50 to anyone requesting a reconnection after hours.
No postdated checks will be taken and no checks will be held for future dates.