Ordinance No. 3297, Section 53.22 references water deposits and establishing credit. The Water Department has the following additional polices for deposits:
Deposits (amount is set annually by resolution) are required for all new customers except for the following:
- Homeowner's with proof of prior good payment history with another utility company and if applicable good payment history with the City; or
- Direct pay customers. Click here for more information on direct pay.
If a deposit is not received at the time of application for service due to an oversight, error, or fraudulent information provided by the customer, the City may require a deposit at a later date if it comes to the City's attention that a deposit was due at the time of application for service. If a deposit is waived for a direct deposit customer and that customer fails to continue direct deposit they may be asked to pay a deposit at that time (to be determined on past payment history). From time to time at the City's discretion and with a history of delinquent payments a customer may be asked to increase their deposit to the amount set by the fee resolution effective at that time.
Deposits will be refunded if a customer has timely payment of all water bills (paid within 30 days from the date billed) for a period of one year from the date of application. If the deposit is not refunded within the first year of service, the deposit will be held until service is discontinued. After service is discontinued, the deposit will be applied to the closing bill and any amount in excess of the closing bill will be refunded to the customer.
Normally a deposit is required at the time application for service is made. However, at the City's discretion an extension of time not to exceed 14 days can be allowed. If a deposit is not made within 14 days water service will be disconnected until a deposit is paid.
Deposits will be held by the City's Water Fund and will not earn interest.