By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News

During the public comment period of the July 3 Helper City Council meeting, resident Anna Evans addressed the council regarding what was described as “the threat that was issued to the citizens of Helper City on this month’s utility bill.”

“Attention Helper Residents: Due to the warmer temperatures, utility shutoffs are once again active. Please make sure to have payment arrangements made by the 15th of each month to avoid shut off. Attempts to make arrangements after the 15th will not be accepted. A $50 reconnection fee will also be required in addition to the bill payment,” read the notice.

“This is a Shakedown and a threat to public safety,” said Evans of the statement. “City personnel and elected officials are hired and elected to serve the community of Helper, not make threatening demands. A five-day window for shut off during the hottest summer on record is dangerous and outrageous, especially with our large population of seniors and people with disabilities.”

Evans went on to cite from the Utah Division of Public Utilities’ customer rights and responsibilities page. The rights established by the DPU state that utility companies will:

• Provide service if you are a qualified applicant
• Offer you at least one 12-month deferred payment plan if you have a financial emergency
• Let you pay a security deposit in three installments, if one is required
• Follow specific procedures for service disconnection which include providing you notice postmarked at least 10 days before service is disconnected
• Offer winter shut-off protection of energy utility service to qualifying ratepayers
• Advise you of sources of possible financial assistance in paying your bill
• Continue service for a reasonable time if you provide a physician’s statement that a medical emergency exists in your home
• Give you written information about Commission rules and your rights and responsibilities as a customer under those rules

To illustrate her point, Evans shared a personal story from years prior of having her power unexpectedly shut off in the summer due to what she described as” A perfect storm, with mail delivered to the wrong address, a miscommunication and a misunderstanding on my part.”

Her frustration with the situation compounded during her interaction with the city office. “I was repeatedly reminded that there was a $50 reconnection fee. I kept replying that I understood and that it was a simple error on my part, and asked why we never received a mailed or delivered shut-off notice. They said they called. I’m a busy small business owner, and I honestly don’t check my voicemail that often. Before I got off the phone, I asked the person at the city office. What if I were a diabetic and my insulin was in the refrigerator? Would you still treat me like this? They replied, “If you were a diabetic, I hope you’d keep better track of your bills.”

Evans’ frustration pivoted to perceived favoritism within the city. “A few days later, I relayed this story to a friend who said one of their properties in Helper was months overdue, and that the city just checks in with them occasionally about the outstanding balance. I see this as another example of Helper’s favoritism and the same rules don’t apply to everyone.”

“I will not stand for threats against the most vulnerable in our community,” closed Evans. “Do you know every household in Helper that has people who would be most affected by the threat you made? Or, do you just see us as dollar signs to have more parties every weekend?”

Following a brief silence, Helper City Mayor Lenise Peterman addressed Evans,” Just so you’re aware, I’m disappointed that our staff would have treated anyone that way. I will wholeheartedly tell you that … We’re going to introduce some new staff members, and my hope would be that your experience would be very different from what you had a few years ago. Because I’m dismayed.”

Peterman also described the steps the city takes to help those who cannot make utility payments, which include creating payment plans if the sum cannot be paid all at once or connecting residents to organizations like SERDA that can provide assistance.

The council also floated the idea of asking residents to share if they have a disability or a mitigating circumstance that would allow them to contact the city. “I don’t think people have to volunteer their personal disabilities,” said Evans of the idea. Peterman replied,” I’m just saying they don’t have to tell us exactly their situation, but it would at least be an avenue for us to protect them.”

“What I’m saying is that this is a direct threat. We’re going to shut your power off … It reads like a threat. And you’re threatening the people in my community. My neighbors who are elderly,” argued Evans.

Mayor Peterman closed the public comment with a plan of action moving forward. “I think you’ve given us a lot of food for thought, and I think we can certainly take that on as an action item for our next council meeting. I’m going to commend you for being bold enough and getting past your shyness to talk to us about this. And I would love to have more conversations with you because again, I don’t like the idea of favoritism, and I’m unaware of it. I want to get to the bottom of that. I apologize that you felt threatened. I do not think that was the intent of the message at all. I apologize that you had such a negative experience with the staff. I think with our new staff in place, it would be a 180 from maybe what you had before. I’m optimistic that would be the case. I think we need to look into this and see what we can do to be better. And if it’s OK with you, I’d like to reach back out to you and let you know what action we’re taking.”

The next meeting of the Helper City Council is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 7, at 6 p.m.