According to Mayor Darrin McCormick, delinquent water and garbage fees, along with unpaid business and occupational taxes, are becoming a problem for the city.
“We have expenses,” McCormick said. “These delays sometimes make it hard to pay our bills.”
Garbage bills are sent quarterly and water bills are due monthly. However, residents can make monthly payments on the garbage bills. One thing the city plans to do is to combine its water and garbage collection bills, which will make it easier for customers to make
their payments as well as save the city mailing expenses.
The city is willing to work with those customers who find themselves behind on their water or garbage bills.
“People may not want to come in because their payments are late,” McCormick said. “But they should talk to us. They can pay the current month’s payment, and pay some of the arrears.”
If these collection efforts fail, McCormick said the city will be forced to seek collection through Municipal Court.
“If we take them to court, they will have to pay the delinquent payment along with court fees and fines,” McCormick said.
The city has to pay for a new garbage truck, the mayor said, as well as pay Pike County to take the city’s garbage to a landfill at John’s Creek, and those expenses must be met.
The city is also working to collect business and occupational taxes from establishments that are not paying those fees. Williamson has entered into an agreement with the Municipal League, an organization which works with municipalities to collect unpaid fees as well as keep up with new business so the city will get the taxes it is owed.
“When times get tough, some are slow making payments,” McCormick said. But the city needs its revenue.
“If you don’t pay your bills, I can’t pay our bills,” the mayor said.
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