(A) For all service furnished within the corporate limits of the municipality, the current property owner of record of the land involved is responsible for the payment of all electric bills, irrespective of who incurred such unpaid bills or when such bills were incurred or who owned or occupied the property at the time such bills were incurred.
(B) As authorized by Ohio Constitution, Article XVIII, § 4 and R.C. § 743.04, any unpaid electric service bills may be assessed as a tax lien against the property involved. In addition, the municipality may disconnect the electric service until all bills for same have been paid in full.
(C) Further provisions as to deposits are as follows:
(1) The utility reserves the right to require a suitable deposit, as specified in § 50.072, to secure the consumer's account before service is initially established or reconnected.
(2) The utility reserves the right to waive the deposit where the applicant for service is the bona fide occupant and legal owner of the premises to be served with electricity.
(3) The utility reserves the right to require an additional deposit if the consumer's past record of payment on accounts or electric power usage indicates that such deposit is required to assure payment from himor her. Such deposit includes but is not limited to past experience as to payment of bills, disconnection for non-payment of bill, checks returned for insufficient funds and increased electric power requirements.
(4) Application may be required to be in name of the property owner, as provided in § 50.003. For tenant-occupied premises, any deposit required by the utility of the property owner is only for the convenience and protection of the property owner. Such deposit shall, in no manner whatever, relieve the legal property owner of the responsibility and obligation to pay all bills for electric service supplied to the premises involved.
(5) Deposits may be held for the term of service rendered by the utility to the consumer or may, at option of the utility, be refunded if the consumer's credit has been established to the satisfaction of the utility.
(6) No interest on deposits shall be accrued or paid.
(7) The utility shall have a reasonable time in which to read, remove or disconnect the service or meters after receiving notice from the consumer. The utility shall ascertain that all obligations of the consumer (including all accounts due the utility by the consumer) have been settled in full prior to the return of any deposits by the utility to the consumer. Upon discontinuance of service, any remaining deposit in excess of any indebtedness owed the utility shall be refunded to the consumer.
(8) Deposits made by the consumer to secure payment of bills shall in no way affect the terms of payment of the applicable rate schedule and all bills must be paid within the stated time limit in order for the net rates set forth in the schedule to be applicable.
(9) Deposits made as an aid-of-construction to partially pay for new line extension costs or to establish temporary service or to pay for special services as specified in § 50.072 shall in no manner be considered as a payment or prepayment of any bill for electric service or to secure payment of same.
(Ord. 10-85, passed 10-7-85)