(A) Required. A consumer seeking to receive utility services from the City shall pay to the City a billing deposit prior to the activation of any utility service.
(B) Billing deposit refunds. The billing deposit shall be applied to the consumer’s account after two (2) years, provided that the consumer has maintained their account in good standing and the City has not been forced to disconnect that consumer’s service for reason of delinquency in payment of charges, and provided the consumer has not been delinquent in payment more than once in any twelve (12) consecutive months. If the consumer does not meet these conditions at the end of two (2) years, the deposit will be retained until twelve (12) consecutive months of timely payment history has been established. Alternatively, the consumer’s billing deposit, less the amount of any unpaid balance due for utility service or late fees, shall be refunded with accrued interest by the City within thirty (30) days of rendition of the final bill. Interest shall accrue on the amount of the deposit at the rate specified in the City’s fee and rate ordinance.
(C) Successors in interest. A consumer’s interest in any return of a deposit to which the consumer may be entitled shall pass to the consumer or to the consumer’s heirs, successors, or to others to whom the consumer’s interest has been assigned. No assignment of a right to the deposit shall be effective unless it is in writing and filed with the City. It is the responsibility of the consumer to provide the City with the consumer’s mailing address. The City has no obligation to make a refund to any person for whom it has not been furnished a current address.
(Ord. No. 2001-05, passed 5-8-01; Am. Ord. 2005-18, passed 10-5-05)