(a) The Utility Dispute Resolution Board shall have the powers and duties set forth in Ohio R.C. 735.29.
(b) The customer shall endorse the date, time and place of all Utility Dispute Resolution Board hearings in writing. Failure of the customer to appear at a hearing shall not limit the Board's authority to act.
(c) If the customer is petitioning for a payment plan, the Utility Dispute Resolution Board shall take into account the amount of the delinquency, the payment history of the customer, and the customer's current ability to pay in approving or establishing an acceptable payment plan for a customer.
(d) Any payment plan approved by the Utility Dispute Resolution Board shall require that all amounts due and owing for utility services up through the date of the hearing be paid in full within six months of the of the execution of the payment plan. However, the Utility Dispute Resolution Board may renegotiate a payment plan if they determine it to be in the best interest of the utility.
(e) If the customer is disputing the delinquency of its amount, the Utility Dispute Resolution Board shall review all such evidence presented by the customer that the account is not delinquent or that the amount of the delinquency is in error. If the Board finds that there has been an error and that there is no delinquency, the disconnection notice shall be rescinded. If the Board finds that the disconnection notice is proper, then the disconnection shall proceed unless the customer brings the account current or executes a payment plan.
(f) If the customer is disputing an amount owed, the Utility Dispute Resolution Board shall review all such evidence presented by the customer that the amount billed is inappropriate and that some adjustment to the amount due is warranted. If the Board finds from the evidence presented that an adjustment to the amount owed is warranted, an adjustment approved by the Board shall be made to the customer's account.
(Ord. 2005-06. Passed 6-6-05; Ord. 2015-06. Passed 5-18-15.)