Deposits

EFFECTIVE November 1, 2007

Most new customers of the City's utility system and some existing customers are required to pay a deposit. The usual utility deposit for single family residences in the City limits is $146.82. The deposit amount may vary depending upon water meter size, number of living units, and types of services required.


If you are a new utility customer, you may waive a security deposit if you are initiating service at a single family residence and submit a utility reference letter which must:

• be from a water utility service provider
• be on the utility service providers letterhead
• include the phone number of the utility service provider
• be in reference to the same person initiating the new utility account
• cover a credit history no older than 1 year from the initiation date of the new utility account
  
• meet our good credit criteria.

If you are a current customer, you do not have to pay a deposit if you meet the following criteria:

• You are moving from one location served by the City to another location in the City, and your current account has existed for a minimum of 24 months immediately preceding application for the new account; and
• You have not during the previous 12 months, made more than two payments received after the due date, paid with a check refused by the bank, been turned off for non-payment, tampered with the water meter, or used the City's service in a fraudulent or unauthorized manner; and
• Your new account will be in the same name as the previous account and will be the same type (single-family residential, multi-family residential, or commercial).

After 24 months, the City will refund deposits that are $500.00 or less, providing the customer has not been in arrears, paid with a check refused by the bank, been disconnected for non-payment, tampered with the meter, or used services in a fraudulent or unauthorized manner. Deposits on certain large multi-family and commercial accounts shall be held for the life of the account or refunded upon replacement with an acceptable alternative (irrevocable bank letter of credit or surety bond).

Interest on deposits is accrued monthly and credited at the beginning of the fiscal year, which begins in October, to the customer's account.

ALTERNATIVE DEPOSITS

As an alternative to making a cash deposit, multi-family and commercial accounts may provide a deposit through an irrevocable bank letter of credit or a surety bond. Accounts with less than full service activity, such as water only or new construction, are not eligible for alternative deposit coverage.

DEPOSIT AMOUNTS:

WATER:

Single-family residential - $43.52
Multi-family residental - $43.52 per living unit

Two times the flat monthly charge based on the amount of acreage served rounded to the next dollar. The following information gives the most common deposit amounts for reclaimed water:

Storm Water Management:

Two times the flat monthly charge based on the property being served. Storm water charges will be applicable to accounts within the city limits only. The storm water management charge for most single family residential properties is $6.65; however, the deposit amount is $12.80

All other accounts (multi-family and commercial) will vary depending on the property being served. The charge normally will not vary from one occupant to the next. If previous occupant data exists, the amount of the storm water deposit will be two times the storm water charge to the previous occupant.

For deposits outside of the City limits or New Construction, call the Customer Call Center at (727) 893-7341 for more details.