The Town of Sahuarita (TOS) is implementing a stricter set of standard operating procedures for dealing with delinquent wastewater customers that will include the option for the town to terminate service.
The Town of Sahuarita (TOS) is implementing a stricter set of standard operating procedures for dealing with delinquent wastewater customers starting with the January 2021 billing cycle. These procedures, approved by town council, come after exhausting all options over a period of several years to collect on past-due accounts by other means. The new procedures include the option for the town to terminate service on customers who have long-term, delinquent accounts. Delinquent customers are still eligible to schedule payment plans and prevent termination of service. The procedures delineate a four-month timeline between notification, and eventual terminations whereby customers have ample opportunity to address the problem and avoid termination.
Prior to termination of service, delinquent customers will be scheduled a hearing to present their case as to why their service should not be terminated. Termination of service dates will be determined at the time of the hearing, and no-show customers will be scheduled a termination of service date. For services that are terminated, the customer will incur disconnection and reconnection fees in addition to any amount owed. These fees and all delinquent balances will need to be paid in full for the service to be reconnected. Reconnection may take up to 5 business days after full payment has been received. Once sewer service is terminated, Sahuarita Water Company will also terminate water services, which may result in additional fees being incurred. Water reconnection timeline will be determined by the water company.
Termination of service comes after the town has tried by various means to collect past-due balances, including payment plans, garnishing tax returns, notices of legal action, third-party collections, and small claims lawsuits.
TERMINATION TIMELINE
| Account payment due (last day of month) | 01/29/2021
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| First notice – automated call (five days past due) | 01/29/2021 |
| Second notice – (five days after second missed payment) | 02/05/2021 |
| Third notice – Notice of Termination and Notice of Hearing |
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| (five days after third missed payment) | 04/05/2021
|
Hearings begin
| 04/12/2021
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| Residences posted for termination | 04/26/2021
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| Termination of service begins | 05/03/2021 |
Reconnect sewer service (within five days of full balance paid)