Everett residents with past due utility accounts will soon see a new $5 fee added to their bills. This move, aimed at covering the costs of collecting overdue payments, will take effect starting next month. Customers are being notified that if they don't meet the bill due date, they'll incur this additional charge for the mailed reminders, according to an update provided by City of Everett's official announcement.
For those struggling to keep up with utility payments, Everett Utilities is urging customers to get ahead of these fees by opting for online payments at utilitybilling.everettwa.gov or through other direct channels. The utility has also highlighted their autopay service as an efficient way to prevent future late payments. However, a missed bill due date isn't just about a single mailed reminder; it's a reflective of broader systemic issues that can entangle residents in a cycle of debt, as reported by the City of Everett.
The introduction of the fee coincides with the city's adjustment to its account billing as per the 2025 rate ordinance, which is an effort to keep up with the actual costs of providing water, sewer, and stormwater services. As utility bills arrive, customers have 20 days from the date of issuance to submit their payment, and these bills are calculated based on the services they've already received, as detailed by the City of Everett's announcement.
Aware of the financial burden a rate hike can bring, Everett Utilities is bolstering its assistance programs, such as their low-income rate assistance program, which expanded in September 2024 with the Council's support. Additional support is available for military service members, seniors, and those with disabilities on tight budgets. For a deeper dive into these programs and to find out which one might suit their situation, customers can venture over to everettwa.gov/billassist, as per the City of Everett.
