Updated Oct. 12:

Marthasville Mayor David Lange said the purpose of reducing the grace period for late bill payments is to help residents get their next utility bill sooner, making it easier to pay their bill.

In the past, residents have received bills only 8 to 10 days before they would become delinquent, Lange said. The city wants to increase that time by a week or more.

Regular monthly utility bills can't be sent out until after delinquent payment notices have been distributed, Lange explained. He said having to wait one less business day before sending those notices will help residents get their next bill on or before the first day of each month.

“The whole intention is to give people more time to pay their bills, not less time,” Lange said.

Original story:

The city of Marthasville is reducing the grace period for residents to pay late utility bills without being charged an extra fee.

Utility bill payments for city water, sewer and trash services are due on the 20th of each month. Previously, a 10 percent late fee was not assessed for delinquent payments until after two business days. 

Beginning this month, the city will only wait one business day before assessing a fee.

Mayor David Lange said applying the late fee one day earlier helps to close out the city’s financial reports for the month so the next utility bills can be sent out by the 25th of the month.

“The goal is that residents get their water bills by the first of the month,” Lange said. “I don’t think it’s a drastic change.”

The Marthasville Board of Aldermen approved the change during its regular meeting Sept. 25. The board voted 3-0 with Alderman Leo Meyer absent.