(A) The city shall require the tenant applicant/ consumer to deposit with it initially, and from time to time, as a guarantee of payment for utility services used when setting up a new account. The required deposit amount is set forth below and elsewhere in the city Codified Ordinances as applicable. A separate deposit must be made for each utility account. Each customer who is not an actual owner in fee simple of real estate for which an application for service is filed, shall make a cash deposit at the time of filing such application. Unused deposits will be applied to the utility account when closed. Deposits required shall be in the following amounts:
(1) Residential.
(a) Deposit shall be a flat rate of $200 for electric heating and $100 for all other heating sources.
(b) Deposit shall be a flat rate of $25 for water service.
(2) Non-residential. A deposit shall be required at the discretion of the Director of Service and shall be based on the facilities estimated usage over a two-month period, not to exceed $3,000. Customer may make an application for release of deposit to the Director of Service after a period of two-years from initial application. Application for release of deposit will be reviewed based on the same
criteria as the application for service. Unused deposits will be applied to the utility account when closed.
(B) The city may require a consumer on whose premise the city's meter, wires or other apparatus have in any manner been tampered with, or damaged in such a way as to prevent a meter from recording the amount of utility service supplied, to deposit such reasonable amounts as ensures payment for repairs in the event of future tampering, prohibited by R.C. § 2909.07, or damage.
(C) The city is under no obligation to return any deposit to any consumer whose service has to be terminated until the city has had a reasonable time to ascertain that the obligations of the consumer have been fully performed.
(Ord. 8588, passed 11-12-02; Am. Ord. 2012-107, passed 12-11-12)