Olive Branch Going After Old Utility Bills

OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. (AP) – Olive Branch plans to hire another person to help collect past due utility fees, a move that reflects the continued growth of the city.

The Commercial Appeal reports the city will hire another meter reader, bringing the total to seven. Their responsibilities include trying to collect on about $190,000 owed to the city by those who are 30 to 120 days late on utility bills. Accounts more than 120 days late are sent to a collection agency and won’t be the responsibility of the meter readers

Officials say the new hire, who will be paid $12.27 per hour, is a reflection of a growing population.

Olive Branch is home to more than 34,000 people. That’s about 1,500 more than five years ago.