Number of overdue Ferndale Utility accounts double during pandemic-fueled economic crisis

City of Ferndale water, sewer and storm drain utility billing (August 2018). My Ferndale News file photo

FERNDALE, Wash. — City of Ferndale officials say had there not been a waiver of late fees and water shutoffs for overdue City of Ferndale Utility customers, they would have shut off water service to 239 customers in December. This compares with about 125 shutoffs each 2-month billing cycle prior to the economic crisis that began during 2020 due to mandates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accounts with past due amounts above $100 would typically face being shut off.

Governor Jay Inslee issued a proclamation in March 2020, extending it several times since, suspending disconnection of utilities for nonpayment and waiving late fees while directing utilities to work with affected customers to establish payment arrangements and to improve access to energy assistance for those customers.

Of the 239 that would have qualified to be shut off in December, 126 owed between $100 and $300 and 113 owed over $300 according to City staff.

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The City is unable to forgive the outstanding balances due to state law.

It was reported in May, after 2 billing cycles with billing errors early in 2020, 328 Ferndale Utility customers were past due on their February 28th invoice. The total amount due was about $70,000.

Due to the Governor’s order, we are not doing any shutoffs through April 30, 2021.Ferndale City staff via email (January 21, 2020).

City staff are encouraging customers with overdue accounts to pay what they can to minimize what will be due once late fees and shutoff waivers are discontinued.

City staff say overdue utility customers impacted by the COVID-19 emergency are encouraged to contact the Ferndale Community Service Cooperative (FCSC) and apply for assistance through their Ferndale Community Utilities Fund (FCUF).

The FCUF has provided 125 payments on behalf of City of Ferndale Utility customers totaling $34,000 according to FCSC Executive Director Terri Temple. “We fear there are several hundred COF Utility customers who will need help before this crisis is over,” Temple said in an email. There is currently $22,000 remaining in the fund, Temple said. Donations to the fund continue to be accepted.