UTILITIES ORDINANCE CHANGES
MAY AFFECT YOU

On March 22nd, the City Council approved revisions to the utilities ordinance. Some important changes that will apply to bills sent after May 1, 2011.

Shutoffs will occur sooner.
The grace period for late accounts and shutoffs will drop to 28 days (currently 60 days).

Shutoffs will be more expensive.
The residential reconnect fee will increase to $100 and a new $25 collections fee will be assessed (commercial accounts will pay $250 for reconnection and a $50 collections fee).

If you receive a shutoff notice, it is important that you contact Customer Service immediately, either in person or by phone, to make arrangements to pay. Waiting until your account is in shutoff status will be very costly to you.

Other changes include:

Tampering fees increasing.
Tampering with meters or other City-owned equipment is a serious matter. The tampering fees will increase to $150 per service for persons who illegally reactivate their utilities.

60 day limit to dispute bill.
Customers will have sixty days following the bill date to dispute charges. After sixty days, all charges will be deemed proper and owed by the customer.

Medical deferments.
Utilities won't be shutoff at a private residence where a seriously or chronically ill person permanently resides, except as provided by City ordinance. The customer MUST provide proper financial and medical documentation to the City prior to any claim of protection under the Ordinance.

Call Customer Service at (505) 863-1201 or visit our office at City Hall for assistance.