The Ocala City Council has approved a one-time financial relief to municipal services customers in June.
City Council members said Tuesday they realize many customers are facing unusual financial hardships because of the Coronavirus pandemic. The measures approved during the Council meeting will lessen the financial strain and allow those in a vulnerable position to manage their municipal services account.
The relief plan has a combined approach to assist those who are experiencing difficulties in maintaining their accounts. First, residential customers who have been enrolled in services for six months or longer (as of May 20), and paid with cash for their deposit funds, will receive 50 percent of their deposit refunded in the form of a credit on their account. This includes owner occupied and renters with municipal accounts.
Second, residential customers with past due balances of more than $1,200 may request a special payment arrangement of up to 24 months. Extended payment options will help reduce the monthly payment and recovery total to a more manageable amount.
The city’s efforts to help municipal customers will result in an approximately $2 million credit to service accounts through refunded deposits. About 17,000 customers are eligible for credit toward their accounts.
The relief plan will be implemented this month and customers are encouraged to check their municipal service statements for credits. Eligible customers will receive the automatic credit applied to their accounts and no application is necessary.
For more information, contact the City of Ocala Municipal Services Customer Service department at (352) 629-2489, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email OEU@ocalafl.org.