Valdese will not charge $3 fee for paper billing

A pilot program in Valdese was cut before it ever took flight last week after an outpouring of negative feedback from residents.

Starting with August’s utility bills, the town was going to charge an additional $3 fee for customers who opted out of paperless billing.

This concept was introduced at the town’s Annual Budget Retreat on April 14 as a measure to save money on postage and other expenses related to paper bills. The $3 charge was intended to offset the expenses.

Customers who enrolled in electronic billing would not be charged the extra fee.

Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Town Manager Bo Weichel said that, after further review, town staff determined the pilot program “just wasn’t going to work the way it was designed.”

“While the goal was to encourage lower-cost billing and payment options, the town recognized concerns from customers who were uncomfortable with paperless billing, automatic draft, or providing personal banking information,” Weichel said.

No one was charged the fee, Weichel said. It would have appeared on next month’s utility bills.

Cutting the program also has no effect on the town’s 2026-27 budget.

Customers who wish to cancel paperless billing and/or automatic drafts are encouraged to contact Town Hall staff for assistance.

“The intent of the pilot program was not to upset customers or make anyone feel forced into a billing or payment method they were not comfortable with,” Weichel said. “There will be no $3 charge added to any utility bill going forward.”