Fort Smith utility to charge late fees again

FORT SMITH — The Fort Smith Utility Department will reinstate late fees for nonpayment starting Oct. 22.

The department suspended nonpayment late fees and disconnects in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a news release Monday.

To help residential customers bring past- due accounts up to date, a temporary payment plan option is available. The program applies to residential customers with at least two unpaid bills due between Jan. 1, 2018, and Oct. 15. All bills, late fees and future charges must be paid on time starting Oct. 16 to avoid disconnection, the department said.

“Customer payments on utility bills are applied to the oldest outstanding bill,” the news release stated. “To avoid late fees, customers can place multiple outstanding bills into the payment plan. After customers are in an active payment plan, any bill payment will be applied to new bills that would be subject to a late fee.

“Customers with outstanding bills occurring between 2018 and 2020 should contact the utility department to sign up or confirm they are in an active payment plan.”

Customers should refer to their most recent billing statement for any amount due and billing cycle due dates, according to the department. Questions on account balances and payments can be directed to Utility Department Citizen Services at 623 Garrison Ave., (479) 784- 2262 and CustomerService@FortSmithAR.gov. TFort Smith’s self- service portal is available at accounts. fortsmithar.gov.