Fiscal Note
On March 23, 2020, the Mayor issued an Emergency Proclamation based on the increasing transmission of the COVID-19 virus within the City of Madison. To help mitigate the financial impacts of this emergency on the businesses and residents of Madison, the proposed resolution waives late charges for the Sewer and Stormwater utilities and the Landfill Remediation Charge effective 4/1/2020 until 60 days after the emergency ends. Lost late fee revenue is anticipated to be $15,000 per month.
A budget amendment is not proposed at this time. The Finance Department is closely monitoring the 2020 budget and subsequent budget amendment resolutions to fully fund the response efforts are anticipated in the future.
Title
Suspending late charges for the Sewer and Stormwater Utilities and the Landfill Remediation Charge during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Body
PREAMBLE
WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, Governor Evers, by Executive Order #72, declared a public health emergency in Wisconsin due to the COVID-19 virus; and,
WHEREAS, as a result of the public health emergency, all schools and non-essential businesses have been temporarily closed, and the Governor has issued a “Stay safer at home order” on March 24, 2020 to slow the spread of the virus in the community, reduce the demands on the healthcare system, and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public; and,
WHEREAS, as a result of the community-wide closures and stay home orders, many City residents and City utility customers are facing lost or reduced incomes and economic uncertainty; and,
WHEREAS, on March 22, 2020, the Governor issued Emergency Order #11, suspending certain administrative rules of the Public Service Commission (PSC), and allowing the PSC to authorize regulated utilities, including the Madison Water Utility, to suspend late charges, which the PSC has done; and,
WHEREAS, the City’s municipal services, including those provided by the Water Utility, the Sewer Utility and the Stormwater Utility, along with the Landfill Remediation Charge, are billed as part of one municipal service bill, which is prepared and collected by the Water Utility; and,
WHEREAS, by companion ordinance, Legistar File No.60081, the Common Council is being given the authority to suspend late charges on Sewer Utility charges, Stormwater Utility charges, and the Landfill Remediation Charge, which ordinance will allow the Water Utility to suspend all late charges on the municipal service bill during the public health emergency.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that during the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency declared in Executive Order #72, or pursuant to any subsequent superseding emergency orders issued by the Governor, the late charges for the Sewer Utility, Stormwater Utility and the Landfill Remediation Charges are hereby suspended.