LIBERTY - An ordinance that would have made owners of rental property liable for late payment for city utilities was amended and passed Tuesday night by Liberty City Council.
The council voted to require a $400 deposit fee for water, sewer and natural gas services for anyone who rents property in the city, according to Mayor Steve Sweeney.
The new deposit will do away with the $30 and $60 utility fees, but the renter also will have to pay a $40, non-refundable fee each time natural gas or water service is turned on.
"Property owners will not be liable; the city will collect the deposit from residential renters," Sweeney said.
The deposit will be refunded to the renter after the utilities are turned off and the utility bill is paid in full.
