NEW ORLEANS, LA – New Orleans has combined City Hall and the Sewerage & Water Board into a single administrative office whose first assignment is determining which division owes the other division the most money.
The merged agency opened one billing window downtown Monday, where employees began sorting invoices marked “municipal,” “utility,” and “please remit immediately.” A collections unit has been assigned to disconnect City Hall’s water service after City Hall disputed a late fee, requested a payment plan, and asked whether the account could be transferred to a future administration.
Officials said the new structure will eliminate duplication by allowing the same department to issue bills, challenge bills, waive penalties, and mail final notices to itself.
The office has also installed a complaint kiosk beside the payment window, though customers are directed to submit concerns to the office directly behind them.
By afternoon, the city’s finance staff had received a red door hanger warning that service could be interrupted unless the city contacted the city within ten business days.
