Wrangell’s Borough Assembly passed an ordinance Tuesday evening that changes how the City manages delinquent electricity accounts. The approved ordinance allows city staff to send disconnection notices to overdue accounts at the regular monthly billing period.

Assembly Member Bill Privett says the changes standardize the City’s electricity payment guidelines and creates more uniform procedures for staff.

“It’s more professional and business-like and takes the heat off the staff on having to decide whether to disconnect or not disconnect somebody. I think it’s a good ordinance and I’m glad to see that it’s here,” he says.

Previously there were no set disconnection guidelines for customers with unpaid accounts. City staff intends to improve the management of accounts and help notify customers before they’re billed with excessive late fees.

Mayor Jeremy Maxand says in the future its likely more changes will be made to make utility bill paying more convenient to the public.

“We had one comment from a member of the public requesting we offer an electronic automated bank account reduction system. I know we have updated our system to allow for credit cards. I would assume down the road we would look at modernizing that system,” he says.

And in other business Borough Clerk Christy Jamieson says there have been an overwhelming number of absentee ballots returned to the City for the upcoming Special Election. The Special Election is on whether to recall 8 out of the 9 members who sit on Wrangell Medical Center’s Board of Directors.

The election is Tuesday, June 19th. Polls open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. unofficial results will be announced shortly after 8 p.m. Absentee voting ends June 18th at 5 p.m. and can be done by mail, in person, or by fax.

To listen to the entire June 12th regular Borough Assembly Meeting visit www.KSTK.org. The next Borough Assembly meeting is scheduled for June 26th at 7 p.m. in City Hall.