A Helping Hand: Belton Gives Fresh Start for Overdue Bills

Here's some good news if you are struggling to pay your utility bills and live in Belton.

The Belton City Council has approved a plan to erase the debts of residents who are behind on their payments.

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KWTX is reporting that $5.9 million in COVID relief funds from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan were given to Belton, Texas. The city has allocated $350 billion in funding to support state, local, and tribal governments.

That’s really the intent of the money that came to or is coming to all cities - is to get it in the hands of people who need it. By bringing them current, it gives them a fresh start and an opportunity to get current, so we don’t have to cut off their utilities. It’s Christmas in April essentially.

-Mike Rodger, City of Belton Finance Director

Breakdown of Relief Fund Spending

The American Rescue Plan

ARP funds are helping families, workers, businesses, and state, local, and Tribal governments through economic issues due to the pandemic, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Following the one-time assistance, Belton is also working with the United Way of Central Texas to give out an additional $300,000 from its COVID relief funds as part of the utility assistance program.

While the one-time assistance only covers city utilities such as water, sewer, and trash services, the utility assistance program through United Way will cover other bills including electric and gas.

Credit on Belton Utility Bills

Residents who are currently delinquent on their city utility bills will see the credit to their account on their April bill.

Currently, there are about 500 Belton residents who are behind on utility payments.