By Emilie Holmes

NIBLEY -- After months of consistent problems with residents not paying their water bills, the City Council approved a resolution Thursday that outlines water shut-off policies in detail.

The council unanimously approved Resolution 03-07 that sets interest at 1.75 percent for late payments, charges every late bill-payer $5 and charges $50 to any resident whose water is actually shut off. If the resident pays their bill when city workers come to shut off the water, the fee is $25, and the water stays hooked up.

Councilman Todd Hansen suggested the new policy be published in the December city newsletter and go into effect Jan. 1, 2004. The council agreed.

"The only thing that really changes [from the current policy]," City Administrator Larry Anhder said, "is the $5 and the $25."

According to the resolution, if water bills are not paid by the 20th of the month following the month the bill was mailed, the resident is subject to a $5 fee.

Mayor Lynn Welker said since it was the same "14 or 18 people" the city has regular problems with, the new ordinance won't affect the majority of the city.

Welker said water is and will continue to be shut off 70 days after the payment was due.

"You city crews will just do somersaults for this," Welker said to the council after they approved the resolution.

In other council news, a public hearing was scheduled for December concerning a possible annexation of Hollow Road, which is just north of the city limits.

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