LONG SAULT – South Stormont is hoping the allure of winning something will convince residents to stop getting their water and sewer bill in the mail.
While saying there’s been an increase in e-billing after an intensive PR campaign, South Stormont wants to take another step to lure people off paper and reduce “the Township’s footprint, (while) helping the environment.”
In a report for Wednesday’s council meeting, CFO Cindy Piche says the contest would cost the municipality “less than $250” but could save the township up to $16,000 a year.
During a review this year of South Stormont’s fees and charges, staff learned the direct cost to mail out paper utility bills was about $1.50 per letter for over 4,000 sewer and water accounts.
That mail cost comes directly out of water and sewer operations, which is funded solely by users and not through municipal taxes.