NEWPORT-Newport Utilities (NU) customers will see a change in their utility bill due date as of July 1.
Currently, NU has seven due dates for bills. With only seven due dates, and more than 22,000 customers, one particular due date has about 6,000 customer bills due, explained Customer Relations Manager Carmen Lichty.
"We are adding and changing dates to make things better for the customers," she explained. "When you have 6,000 people with their bills due on the same date, you are going to have larger crowds making payments on that particular due date."
General Manager Ron Fugatt agreed, "We are making these changes to help our customers. With fewer customers having bills due on each due date, there will be shorter lines, and we will be able to provide better service."
Customers who meet certain credit criteria will be able to select a due date by calling NU customer service.
"We see this as a big improvement for our customers," said Fugatt. "We think this will benefit everyone."
A pamphlet about the due dates was included with recent billing statements.
If anyone has any questions about the new billing due date schedule change, he or she should call NU at (423) 625-2800.