BERKLEY, Mich. (WXYZ) — The City of Berkley says it will not charge late fees or penalties on water bills for the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since March 2020, the city placed a hold on late charges during the initial disruption to help residents, who may have recently lost their jobs due to the virus, as well as businesses facing financial insecurity.
“This is part of a set of measures the City is undertaking to try to ease the strain on our residents and businesses brought on by this pandemic,” said Matthew Baumgarten, Berkley City Manager. “Given the number of residents who have had their livelihoods disrupted, suspending late fees is a good temporary measure. People will still have access to water and can just pay their bill when they can over the course of months instead of weeks.”
Beginning October 2020, the city will review outstanding balances and will roll certain past due amounts to the winter tax bill, according to officials.
Residents and community members who are able can pay their water bill and other utilities online or mail their payments to City or place it within the secure dropbox located at City Hall on 3338 Coolidge Hwy, Berkley.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
