Apex to resume utility late fees and disconnections as town faces $6M in overdue balances

Apex utility customers may soon start seeing late fees again on their bills.

It comes as the town looks to return to normal after a cybersecurity incident in 2024 that rattled its utility billing system.

The town temporarily paused utility late fees and disconnections after the cybersecurity incident that forced the town to rebuild its billing system sowing distrust among some customers.

Right now, town data shows that around 15% of accounts make up for $6 million in utility balances older than 30 days. 

“Those are real dollars. Those are dollars that we need,” said Apex mayor Jacques Gilbert.

As town leaders look to create next year’s budget, they say that 15% is putting more pressure on utility rates at a time when they’re already being driven higher.

“We have operations here, and when that shortfall is there, it impacts our budget,” Gilbert said. 

Gilbert said the town will work with customers who have outstanding balances on payment plans.

The target date to resume late fees and disconnections is Wednesday, July 1.