Utility Penalties Proposal Advances In Baker

BAKER, La. (AP) — The Baker City Council has voted to take up a proposed ordinance reducing municipal penalties against utility customers who do not pay their bills on time.

Councilman Charles Vincent said during Tuesday's council meeting he has been interested in advancing the legislation for 10 years, but gained the votes to proceed with the measure only with a newly elected council.

He said getting the proposal before the council has been a "huge team effort" involving council members, attorney Ken Fabre and municipal employees.

The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/VlMj95 ) the ordinance reduces the penalty for a utility disconnection from $60 to $30.

Vincent said a reconnection fee of $25 still exists.