The city of Flint is warning its delinquent commercial water customers that it’s time to pay up or risk being shut off.
City workers were out Friday posting shutoff notices on commercial properties with past due accounts. Apartment complexes are among those getting the notices.
“What these landlords are doing is wrong,” Mayor Karen Weaver says. “Some owners haven’t paid the city of Flint for utility services since 2015.”
The city is trying to avoid shutting off water service which would force renters out.
Several apartment owners have paid up delinquent accounts.
“We thank the property owners who have stepped up and paid,” says David Sabuda, Flint’s Interim Chief Financial Officer. “Now we need the rest of the property owners who owe the city to also do the right thing and pay the current balance plus 10% of the past due balance and continue to make these payments until the balance is paid in full.”
The city is under pressure from the state to get 70% of its water customers up to date on their water and sewer bills.
Earlier this month, Flint officials started leaning on commercial customers to pay up. Businesses owed the city more than a million dollars in overdue water bills.
If more commercial and residential customers don’t pay up, they risk losing state tax credits.
Many Flint residents and business owners say they shouldn’t have to pay for water that’s undrinkable without a filter because of lead contamination. But city leaders say they must pay water fees and sewer service.
