HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2004-71 - Utility Payment Plan Fee-DN
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN,
TEXAS, AMENDING ARTICLE VN, 13.04.220, ENTITLED "OTHER SERVICES
AND CHARGES -ALL UTILITY SERVICES" OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS; ESTABLISHING A FEE,
REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS;
INCLUDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND ESTABLISHING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, The City of Georgetown allows utility customers to pay off old utility
balances through installment payments on the customer's current utility bill; and
WHEREAS, The City of Georgetown, currently, does not have a fee associated with set
up and maintenance of payment plans for payment of past due utility bills; and
WHEREAS, The City of Georgetown wishes to pass on the cost associated with the
administration and maintenance of utility payment plans to those customers requiring this
service; and
WHEREAS, The City of Georgetown wishes to implement a utility fee for payment plan
administration that recovers the cost of this service; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Georgetown wishes to amend the current
ordinance, and adopt proposed fee, effective on and after November 1, 2004,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, THAT.
SECTION 1. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are
hereby found and declared to be true and correct, and are incorporated by reference herein and
expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. The City Council hereby finds that this
ordinance implements Finance Policy End 4.0 of the Century Plan - Policy Plan Element, which
states: "The City will conduct all municipal operations in an efficient business -like manner and
sufficient financial resources for both short-term and long-term needs are provided," and further
finds that the enactment of this ordinance is not inconsistent or in conflict with any other Century
Plan Policies, as required by Section 2.03 of the Administrative Chapter of the Policy Plan.
SECTION 2. Article VII, 13.04.220 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown,
Texas is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 13.04.220. Other services and charges -All utility services.
F. Payment Plan Administration Fee, $20.00. Past due balances from a customer's
inactive utility account(s) are transferred to the customer's current, active utility
account, and are payable on the next due date of the active account following the
transfer. This past due balance, with the authorization of the Finance Director or a
designated representative, may be set up on a payment plan that allows the
customer to pay out the transferred balance in monthly installments, which will be
included as a line item on the current utility bill, and due on the active account's due
date each month. A down payment equal to 20% of the total amount transferred,
plus the Payment Plan Administration Fee, must be paid before the payment plan
can be established. The payment plan time period may not exceed 6 months, without
supervisory authorization. Those payment plans that are set up for less than 90 days
are not required to pay the Administration Fee.
SECTION 3. All ordinances and resolutions, or parts of ordinances and resolutions, in
conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed, and are no longer of any force and effect.
SECTION 4.
If any provision of this
ordinance or
application thereof to any person or
circumstance, shall
be held invalid, such
invalidity shall
not affect the other provisions, or
application thereof,
of this-ordinance=which
-can be given
effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end the provisions of
this ordinance
are hereby declared to be severable.
SECTION 5. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City Secretary
to attest. This ordinance shall become effective on November 1, 2004,
PASSED AND APPROVED on First Reading on the 12th day of October 2004,
PASSED AND APPROVED on Second Reading on the 26th day of October 2004,
ATTEST:
Sandra D. Lee
City Secretary
APP Z70 FORM:
Patricia Carls, City Attorney
THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN:
By: Taro6lon
Mayor