The Town of Smyrna has recently made some changes to its utility policy. The changes include effect reconnection fees, promissory notes, budget billing, and late fees.

Effective December 1, 2008, Town Council approved the elimination of the $50 reconnection fee for utilities. This decision was made in part because of the installation of remote disconnect collars. With the installation of these collars, the town is able to turn electric on and off via telephone or the internet, thus eliminating the need to dispatch an electric crew to the location.

Beginning January 1, 2009, the Town of Smyrna will no longer offer promissory notes for delinquent utility bills. However, the Town will offer one extension agreement per 12 month period. An approved extension will give the customer until the end of the current month to pay their delinquent bill. An extension gives customers approximately an extra 10 days to pay an overdue bill before it is subject to disconnection.

Another option the Town offers is Budget Billing. The Budget Bill plan is equal to one twelfth of the average utility bill. This will allow customers to also spread out any unpaid balance as well. To qualify for Budget Billing, customers that have a delinquent balance have to make a payment equal to one month’s budget amount.

Also, beginning March 1, 2009, the late fees will go from $15 to 10% of the unpaid utility balance. This change applies to both residents and businesses with services provided by the Town of Smyrna. The 10% is compounded each month that there is an outstanding balance on the account.