BAKER, La. (AP) — The Baker City Council has voted to give residents more time to pay their municipal utility bills while also reducing the penalty for paying their bills late.

The Advocate reports the new policy approved Tuesday reduces the late penalty from $60 to $30 per late bill. The $25 reconnect fee will remain the same.

Residents will also have until 8 a.m. on the eighth day after their bills become overdue to pay before they are put on the "cutoff list."

Under the old rule, late payments had to be received before 4:30 p.m. one week after the bill became overdue.

Public Works Director Julie McCulloch explained that payments are overdue the day after the "regular due date" as listed on the bill.

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