Customers get utility bills, after two years, if a bill is not paid then the city adds that bill to a list of bills that they plan to write off and never expect payment for that amount.

The amounts below include electric, water, trash, sewage, solid waste, and drainage.

College Station:

Fiscal Year 2011 - $623,465.66
Fiscal Year 2010 - $557,566.76
Fiscal Year 2009 - $403,509.74

Bryan:

Fiscal Year 2009 - $694,375
Fiscal Year 2008 - $700,465
Fiscal Year 2007 - $532,735
*Note-Bryan’s write offs are reported (2007-2009) because of two year collection period.

A city of Bryan spokesperson says there are several reasons why the city is unable to collect the money.

"It's difficult to send them a bill or collect if we don't know where they are. Some of that could be students. Just people that moved from the area. Stuff like that. We've also got a list of deceased people. Folks who have passed away that have an outstanding bill. There's an incarcerated list. Some folks have had a bill and then went to jail. It's difficult to collect from somebody that's in jail, as well,” said Allen Bruggman.

The Bryan City Council will vote on the write off amount for the city utilities ($305,336). That will be Tuesday night at 6pm at City Hall. The BTU board has already approved the electric bill write offs ($389,039).