The city has officially given up on trying to collect more than $15,000 worth of unpaid utility bills.

All of the bills dated back to 2013 and could no longer be pursued, as state law generally prohibits creditors from going after debts that are more than 10 years old.

At its March 4 meeting, the Powell City Council formally voted to write off $15,152.32 worth of electric, water, sewer, garbage and recycling bills, plus taxes, penalties and other miscellaneous charges. The city tried collecting on the debts over the past decade — sending all 38 accounts to collection agencies — but never received payment.

The total was down slightly from last year, when the council certified $17,700 as uncollectible debt.

Powell Mayor John Wetzel noted that, in an effort to reduce its bad debt, the City of Casper recently had “a long debate” about whether to make landlords responsible for the utilities at their properties; that included a requirement for landlords to cover bills that go unpaid by their tenants.

However, the Casper City Council ultimately decided to drop the idea late last month, and the City of Powell is not proposing such a change. When he’s spoken with local landlords, City Administrator Zack Thorington said he’s found them to be split on the idea.

— By CJ Baker