Fredericksburg Plans Monthly Water, Sewer, Trash Bills Starting In November

FREDERICKSBURG, VA—The Fredericksburg City Council is proposing to switch its city utility billing cycle from bi-monthly to monthly, which could take effect as early as next month.

The City of Fredericksburg currently bills residents every two months for water, sewer, trash, and recycling services.

The change, scheduled to begin in November, would affect water, sewer, trash collection and recycling services. City officials say it would not increase existing utility rates.

According to a memorandum published ahead of an Oct. 27 city council meeting, officials insist rates will not change for residents and do not expect a significant revenue increase.

However, officials said the city may see some revenue from increased late fees as customers adjust to the new billing cycle. The city also expects an additional $40,500 in postage and printing costs, though it anticipates those expenses will decline as more residents switch to paperless billing.

Officials said the change will “better match the City’s billing cycles with once-per-month billing for mortgages, credit cards, and other utilities,” noting that “most customers’ incomes are received no less frequently than on a monthly basis.”

The transition will work differently depending on which of the city's two existing billing groups a customer belongs to.

• Group A: Residents who were last billed in September will receive one final two-month bill on Nov. 24, covering Sept. 6 through Nov. 5.
• Group B: Residents will receive their final two-month bill on Oct. 28, covering Aug. 4 through Oct. 4, followed by their first monthly bill on Nov. 24.

Both groups are expected to receive their November bills around Nov. 24.

The Fredericksburg City Council is scheduled to consider final approval of the ordinance on Tuesday. Council members unanimously approved the measure on first reading Oct. 13.

Residents will have an opportunity to voice their concerns at Tuesday's meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m.