As of Wednesday afternoon, West Plains Utility Department reported a total of 737 customers owe city utilities a grand total of $255,305.93. Of that total, more than $18,000 is just late fees alone. If folks run off on their bill and creditors cannot find them and get them to pay, tax payers foot the final bill. In October, city utilities had to mail out 571 late notices. That spiked to 787 in November and fell slightly to 737 this month. Late notices were sent out on the 13th of this month with today being the shut-off day. Officials say probably 80 percent of them will pay and then they have 20 percent that have just left town. Then they have to start trying to collect the money.