City considers options on utility bills

McCOOK, Neb. — For customers affected by job loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, city staff is looking at options of waiving or postponing payments for water, sewer and trash bills, according to the McCook City Manager.

Nate Schneider told the McCook City Council Monday night at the regular meeting that staff is “reviewing where we are” concerning the water/sewer/trash bills and the payment ability of customers who have lost their jobs or working reduced hours due to the pandemic.

All of Nebraska is under a directed health measure mandated by Gov. Pete Ricketts, that closed all non-essential businesses and requires restaurants and bars to close their dining areas and to offer only takeout or delivery. The measures are intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

City of McCook water/sewer/trash customers are urged to contact the city to work out a payment plan if they are “in a bad spot,” Schneider said. He added that city staff is in the process of communicating with other cities to see what they are doing for water/sewer customers unable to pay due to COVID-10 job loss.

The water and sewer funds are enterprise funds, he said, so if adjustments are made and payments aren’t required, “there could be issues in the future with price setting.”

Enterprise funds are not funded by taxes but supported by user fees.

“We’re being cautious right now, looking at our options,” he said.

Schneider also told the council that the city issued a press release Monday that equipment in city parks are closed to the public, to contain the spread of the virus. This includes basketball courts and disc golf equipment, he said.

People can still walk through parks and use the walking trail, he clarified.

Karrer Park is also closed to the public for now, Schneider said, and may be used in the future, if needed, for medical professionals who have to isolate themselves in a camper from their families after working with COVID-19 patients.

Councilman Jerry Calvin, at the end of Monday’s meeting, thanked city staff for making the decision to close city park equipment to the public. He said he was getting a lot of feedback from citizens who noticed the number of children playing at parks despite school being closed due to the pandemic.

“It was a smart and wise move” to close the equipment to the public, he said.