Phillipsburg city code states that all utility bills not paid by the 10th day of the month they are due shall have a 10% penalty added. However, the practice for many years has been to only add penalty on the water portion of the bill. On February 21, 2022, City Council directed that the current code be followed as written. Beginning in March, 10% of the entire outstanding bill will be added to the account as a penalty fee. Depending on each customer's bill and usage, they may see the penalty increase from $2.10 fee to $6.37. Please watch your bill as the amount due after due date will be printed on each bill.
CITY CODE:
WATER RATES:
15-305. PAYMENT OF BILLS; PENALTY. All utility bills and accounts payable to the municipal utility system for water and services in connection therewith, shall be due and payable to the city clerk at his or her office on the first day of each month. All such accounts shall be paid on or before the 10th day of the month they are due and payable and a penalty of 10% of the amount due shall be added to each bill not paid as provided, which shall be collected at the time the bill is finally paid. (Ord. 1037, 18-305; Code 1999, 18-305)
SEWER RATES:
15-507. BILLS; WHEN DUE. Sewer service charges shall be billed monthly along with regular water bills. All bills are due and payable by the first day of each month. Failure to pay the bill by the 10th day of the month will result in a penalty being added as provided in section 15-305. (Code 1999, 18-507) (see above water rate code)
SOLID WASTE RATES:
15-614. BILLING. (a) Bills for solid waste collection shall be rendered monthly and shall be a part of the utility bills. (b) The landlord of any premises shall be responsible for payment for service provided to that premises if the tenant does not pay for the service. (c) Delinquent refuse bills shall carry the same due dates, grace periods and penalties as water bills. (Code 1999, 18-615)