AUB APPROVES FINAL EXTENSION OF HARDSHIP SUSPENSION ON DISCONNECTION AND LATE FEES UNTIL MAY 18

Athens, TN – Athens Utilities Board (AUB) is extending the hardship suspension on utility disconnects and late fees until May 18, 2020.

It is important to note that there will not be another extension to the schedule.

The board approved a plan to “unwind” the current back-log of overdue bills in a staged approach and return to normal service practices by June 29.

The key dates of this plan are based upon the current status of the customer’s account.  The dates are:

• May 18, 2020 - all accounts that are in arrears over 90 days will be subject to immediate disconnect. Customers are urged to pay these overdue bills off by May 18 to avoid disconnection of service and reconnect fees.
• June 1, 2020 - all accounts that are in arrears over 60 days will be subject to immediate disconnect. Customers are urged to pay these overdue bills off by June 1 to avoid disconnection of service and reconnect fees.
• June 15, 2020 - all accounts that are in arrears over 30 days will be subject to immediate disconnect. Customers are urged to pay these bills off by June 15 to avoid disconnection of service and reconnect fees.
• June 29, 2020 - AUB will return to normal service practices including disconnections and collection of late fees.

We have been clear with our customers since March 18 that we would eventually have to return to normal service practices.  We are required by our federal power contract with TVA to be non-discriminatory in our collection of revenues.

“Non-discriminatory” means we must collect every cent of power revenue that is owed.  This is always a tough part of our business, because a lot of our customers struggle to pay their bill.  But we also understand that this is the only way to be fair with all of our customers.

Although there is never a perfect plan to address these issues, the approach the board has taken gives customers time to seek assistance and pay-off the past due amounts incrementally, within this schedule, without paying late fees and/or being disconnected. 

Now is the time for customers to take advantage of this final grace-period and bring their accounts back into current status. 

AUB has set up additional resources to take payments over the phone.  You may also pay on-line, as well as utilize our drive-through window and depository. 

Unfortunately, if you do not pay your past due bills within the schedule you will be subject to disconnection of services and must pay your entire past-due amount plus reconnection fees.