EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – The City Council voted to give residents more latitude in paying delinquent utility bills. Administrative Services Director Steve Marriott proposed the change to let staff work out options with customers. “The revised ordinance gives staff the ability to waive disconnects if the customer enters into a payment plan,” Marriott said. “We have used payment plans in the past; however, the ordinance did not really give us any latitude to enter into such an agreement on a shutoff day.” The revised ordinance states that, if a water or sewer customer fails to pay any bill before the next billing date, then the city shall tell the customer the city intends to discontinue service unless the past-due bill is paid within the allotted time. But if the customer has contacted the city and complies with a written payment plan, then service could continue. Payment plans will require payment of the current month’s...