(A) Each new applicant for residential utility service shall be deemed creditworthy and shall not be required to make a cash deposit as a condition of receiving service if the applicant satisfies the following criteria:
(1) Applicant has been a customer of any utility within the last two years;
(2) Owes no outstanding bills for service rendered by any such utility;
(3) Did not have during the last 12 consecutive months that the service was provided, more than one delinquent bill to any utility or, if service has been rendered for a period of less than 12 months, has not had more than one delinquent bill in such period; and
(4) Within the last two years did not have a service disconnected for a utility for non-payment of a bill for services rendered by that utility.
(B) If the applicant fails to establish that he or she is creditworthy pursuant to the above criteria, the applicant may be required to make a cash deposit for each utility service. The deposits shall be as follows:
City Municipal Utilities Schedule of Deposits
Electric:
Residential:
Basic $100
All Electric $150
Commercial:
Single-Phase $200
Three-Phase $300
Water:
Residential: $50
Commercial:
Small Commercial User $100
(less than 50,000 gallons per month)
Large Commercial User $300
(more than 50,000 gallons per month )
(C) If the utility denies service or requires a cash deposit as a condition of providing service, then it must immediately send a written notice to the applicant stating the precise facts upon which it bases its decision and provide the applicant with an opportunity to rebut such facts and show other facts demonstrating his or her creditworthiness.
(Ord. 1989-7, passed 6-8-1989; Ord. 2008-17, passed 9-10-2008; Ord. 2019-25, passed on 5-13-2020)