A total of 59 accounts, totalling $1,852.31, are being written off.
There is close to $26,000 in unpaid sewer and water bills.
Collection agencies are ready to take further action against these customers.
It sounds like the worst-case scenario for someone who can’t pay their bills, but in this
case it appears the region has decided to take matters into its own hands.
Both businesses and customers who are either missing in action or can’t pay their bills seem to be getting a free ride from the region.
And while the Commissioner of Finance says he hopes the eventual recovery rate will be 10 to 20 per cent, at the end of the day the majority of these debts are being paid off by the region, or rather taxpayers who pay their bills.
Is this really fair?
Shouldn’t the person who is responsible for paying the bill own up and pay it?
Yes it is reasonable to assume some of the customers have left town, dodging a bullet by leaving while the going was good, but still, shouldn’t they be the ones in fear of collection agencies?
And while the region hopes these customers do return to the area to face their impending doom, it still has to pay the bill now.
According to a report, the write-offs come from three sources, namely closed bill accounts where the amount is too small to transfer to the tax roll or the customer can’t be found.
While it is a common occurrence for some people to run from their debts, it doesn’t mean the taxpayer should help pay for their bill.
And outstanding debt is the responsibility of the customer, no matter how long it takes to pay off.
Instead, the region is now becoming the customer, paying bills at the expense of taxpayers.
This leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of those who pay their bills on time.