A. All meters put in by the authority shall be and remain the property of the authority and are not to be removed unless the use of current on the premises is entirely stopped and the service connection discontinued or abandoned. In all cases where meters are lost, injured or broken by carelessness or negligence on the part of the owners or occupants of the premises, they shall be replaced by the authority and the costs charged against the owners or occupants.
B. In the event of the meter getting out of order or failing to register properly, the consumer shall be entitled to an administrative review of the electric bill. Procedures for the administrative review shall be developed by the Duncan utilities authority, and shall be heard by the city attorney. The consumer shall be required to post a bond which will be in an amount equal to an estimate based on the average monthly consumption during the last three (3) months the same was in good order.
1. The city attorney may administratively adjust, in his or her discretion and for the purposes of equity, any billing when presented with evidence showing:
a. A billing was incorrectly charged;
b. The user did not actually utilize the service charged.
Any adjustment decision of the city attorney shall be administratively final.
2. Upon completion of the consumer's administrative hearing, the consumer's bond shall be surrendered to the utilities authority to satisfy any disputed billing, and/or be credited to the consumer's next billing cycle.
3. During the pendency of any utility fee dispute, and upon the proper posting of bond, the utilities authority shall not interfere with the consumer's utility service. (Ord. 1760, 9-13-2016)