(KNZA)--A Jackson County community is offering assistance to residents affected by the partial federal government shutdown.

According to a press release from the city of Hoyt, the Hoyt City Council Thursday evening voted to suspend late fees and utility disconnection policies for any impacted resident.

Details include:
• All late fees associated with utility bill payments will be waived.
• Standard disconnection protocols will be suspended during the “shutdown” and for 30 days following the end of the “shutdown”.
• Allow for payment plans to be established for up to three months after the end of the “shutdown”.
• This exemption will end 30 days following the end of the federal government shutdown that began on December 22, 2018.

Council President Nathan McAlister said the city has adopted the temporary policy to assist those federal workers living in the community, who through no fault of their own, are working without pay to keep the American government functioning.

Councilman Dustin Brinkman said the nation’s cities and states must step up and lead when the federal government does not.

To be eligible, residents must present proof of current employment with an affected federal agency to the Hoyt City Clerk at 201 East 4th Street during normal business hours.