Hood River City Councilors have approved an ordinance giving the City Manager the discretion to suspend utility shutoff penalties and interest for non-payment of utility charges during a “unusual circumstance impacting the local economy.”  The City had enacted emergency measures at the beginning of the pandemic in March allowing for those moves, but those provisions expired at the beginning of December.  Mayor Kate McBride says this doesn’t really change what the City intends to do during the pandemic, but does give City Manager Rachael Fuller and staff flexibility to make changes as the situation warrants.  The City intends to waive utility late payment fees, interest, and suspend shutoffs for nonpayment until a COVID-19 vaccine is widely available.