With the State of Wisconsin under a health emergency declaration, the Public Service Commission is mandating that public utilities postpone all service shutoffs. Sturgeon Bay Utilities General Manager Jim Stawicki says that this emergency is unique compared to those declared for temporary weather conditions.

Stawicki says a steady rate of customers wind up behind on their bills with service disruptions occurring as a result, unfortunately. There is no particular time of the year when missed payments spike and local laws help ensure that the utility can collect what is owed. Stawicki does not expect this moratorium on shutoffs to be shouldered by taxpayers.