(A) Meters are read and bills are prepared and billed on a cycle basis. Bills are due 21 days from the statement date. To all bills not paid on or within 2 days after the due date, there shall be added collection charges as follows: For electric, 10% of total.
(B) If bills are not paid within 14 days after due date thereof, the service will be disconnected in accordance with division (C) below. A customer may enroll in the level billing program as follows:
(1) As an alternative to billing for the actual amount of utilities used each month, residential customers shall be given the option of enrolling into the level billing program. Those residential customers so enrolled shall be billed equal monthly installments during an 11-month billing cycle (level billing period) commencing with the July billing every year, with the equal monthly installments (level billing amount) determined by averaging the previous 12-months’ bills at the same location. The equal monthly installments (level billing period) may be adjusted at any time at the discretion of the utility business office.
(2) The accounts will be reconciled with the June bill each year by comparing the actual charges incurred during the level billing period, plus the June charges, against the actual amount paid during the level billing period. If there is a balance due, the balance must be paid by the due date on the June bill. If an overpayment of the account has occurred, the overpayment will be refunded, thereby starting the next level billing period with a zero balance.
(3) Enrollment by electing customers must be completed before June 30 or prior to the billing for electric customers’ July statement, whichever is later. The customer must at all times be current with their utility bill in order to participate in the level billing program, or their participation will be terminated. Customers electing this level billing program remain subject to all other rules and regulations of the Washington Municipal Utilities, including but not limited to, those regarding late payments, penalties and disconnection.
(4) Participation in the program will continue from year-to-year without having to re-enroll.
(5) Customers may terminate their enrollment in the level billing program by written notification to the utility business office and giving the utility business office a reasonable opportunity to act on it. The account will then be reconciled and any balance due must be paid upon termination.
(C) The city shall disconnect utility service in accord with the following policies:
(1) When it becomes necessary for the city to discontinue utility service to a customer for nonpayment of bills, service will be reinstated only after all bills for service then due have been paid and any deposit required has been made. It is the policy of the city to discontinue utility service to customers by reason of nonpayment of bills only after notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard on disputed bills. The city’s form for application for utility service and all bills shall contain, in addition to the title, address, room number, and telephone number of the official in charge of billing, clearly visible and easily readable provisions to the effect:
(a) That all bills are due and payable on or before the date set forth on the bill; and
(b) That if any bill is not paid by or before that date, the next bill will show a date for disconnection of service for the non-payment of previous bill. The date of disconnection will be approximately 5 weeks from initial bill.
(c) That any customer disputing the correctness of his or her bill shall have a right to a hearing at which time he or she may be represented in person and by counsel or any other person of his or her choosing and may present orally or in writing his or her complaint and contentions to the city official in charge of utility billing. This official shall be authorized to order that the customer’s service not be discontinued and shall have the authority to make a final determination of the customer’s complaint.
(2) Request for delays or waiver of payment will not be entertained; only questions of proper and correct billing will be considered. In the absence of payment of the bill rendered or resort to the hearing procedure provided herein, service will be discontinued at the time specified.
(D) When service is disconnected a final bill is generated, and the deposits will then be applied to the account. Then the customer will receive a balance due bill. If after 60 days the bill is still delinquent, 1 of 2 things will happen. If the customer has another existing open account, the delinquent amount will be added to the account. Otherwise, a letter is mailed to the customer informing them that they will be subject to collection proceedings within 30 days of letter if final bill is not paid or satisfied by deposit.
(E) In every circumstance where utility service has been disconnected, whether for nonpayment or at a customer’s request, a temporary disconnect/reconnect fee shall be charged to the customer requesting reconnection in the amount of $50 during business hours or $100 after business hours. The fee shall be paid in full prior to reconnection.
(F) (1) The deposits required for electric meters shall be as follows:
(a) Residential customer in good standing with Washington Municipal Utilities: $100.00 for each meter installed.
(b) Residential customer with a history of a written off account or delinquent account with Washington Municipal Utilities: $200 for each meter installed.
(c) Commercial customer in good standing with Washington Municipal Utilities: $150 for each meter installed.
(d) Commercial customer with a history of a written off account or delinquent account with Washington Municipal Utilities: $300 for each meter installed.
(e) Landlords in good standing with Washington Municipal Utilities shall pay $25 for each meter installed.
(f) Landlords with a history of a written off account or delinquent account shall pay $100 for each meter installed.
(2) Deposits are required at the time of turn on. Interest is not paid on these deposits. When an account has been turned off and a final bill has been generated and a balance is owed, the deposit is applied toward the balance. If no balance is due, the customer will receive a check for the deposit(s), UNLESS THE CREDIT AMOUNT IS LESS THAN $3 PER DEPOSIT. If balance due is less than the deposit(s), the bill will be paid in full by the deposit(s) and a check will be sent to the customer for the remainder of the deposit(s) UNLESS THE CREDIT AMOUNT IS LESS THAN $3 PER DEPOSIT. The deposit credits of less than $3 will be paid to the City Light and Power Operating Fund.
(Prior Code, § 50.04) (Am. Ord. 517, passed 4-25-1966; Am. Ord. passed 5-29-1990; Am. Ord. 24-2008, passed 12-22-2008; Am. Ord. 6-2009, passed 4-27-2009; Am. Ord. 4-2014, passed 3-24-2014)