(A) A customer who temporarily becomes unable to timely and completely pay a monthly bill charge when due may contact the Utility representative and file a written application for the establishment of a deferred payment plan to enable the customer to pay the account and avoid termination of utility service. The Utility representative shall review all applications to determine if the customer is eligible for a deferred payment plan.
(B) The following classes of customers are ineligible to request deferred payment plans.
(1) A customer whose utility service has been terminated for nonpayment of all or part of a monthly billing, or other amount owed the utility, until all arrearages have been fully and completely paid.
(2) A customer with an account that is otherwise current who has defaulted in his or her obligation to make timely payments under a prior deferred payment plan within one year of the customer’s current request.
(3) A customer who is currently making installment payments under a prior deferred payment plan.
(4) A customer who has an old outstanding final bill for service rendered at a different metering point, residence, or location if such bill has remained unpaid.
(C) When an application for a deferred payment plan is received from an ineligible customer, the Utility representative shall notify the customer of the reason the customer is ineligible. The Utility representative shall proceed as if the customer had not made the request.
(D) The Utility representative shall schedule an appointment with eligible customers, who have timely filed an application for a deferred payment plan, to discuss the matter with the customer and determine a suitable plan. The plan shall be submitted to the customer and the customer shall execute the plan within five calendar days of its submission to the customer. The plan shall become effective on the signing of the agreement by the Utility representative and the customer. A customer’s failure to execute a deferred payment agreement within five calendar days shall permit the utility to proceed as if no application for a deferred payment plan had been submitted.
(E) No deferred payment plan shall be established which does not meet the following minimum requirements.
(1) An initial payment of 16.667% of the outstanding balance covered under the deferred payment plan, payable at the time of the customer’s written acceptance of the deferred payment agreement.
(2) Five equal subsequent monthly installment payments under the deferred payment plan; each installment due 30 days after payment of the prior payment.
(3) An agreement between the customer and the utility, that the customer’s failure to make timely payments in accordance with the deferred payment plan, shall subject the customer to summary termination of utility service within 72 hours after the default under the plan, in lieu of the procedure under § 52.02.
(4) An agreement between the customer and the utility that the customer agrees to pay all undisputed future bills for service as they come due.
(5) The customer has not breached any similar agreement with the utility made pursuant to this rule within the past 12 months.
(Ord. 35-1982, passed 12-14-82; Am. Ord. 9-2008, passed 6-10-08; Am. Ord. 17-2020, passed 7-20-20)