Hampton council considering utility ordinances

The Hampton City Council voted at its May 12 regular meeting to approve the first reading of two ordinances regarding utility services.

The first is an amendment to the city code to include electrical service and rates, as the code previously only mentioned water and sewer as city utilities for which the council sets rates. The second changes the city’s policy for nonpayment of utility services. The code previously gave the mayor sole discretion to determine the city’s response to nonpayment, but it was determined that the city manager and finance department staff should be involved in the administrative process for collection and the council should be involved in decisions on legal remedies for nonpayment.

Second readings and final approval of both measures will likely take place at the next council meeting.