HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2003-63 - Utility Fees & DepositeAN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN,
TEXAS, AMENDING ARTICLE VII, ENTITLED "MISCELLANEOUS" OF THE
CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS;
REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS;
INCLUDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND ESTABLISHING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, The City of Georgetown established its current miscellaneous utility connect
and disconnect fees in 1988; and
WHEREAS, The City of Georgetown established its current utility deposit amount in
1981; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Georgetown wishes to implement utility fees
and deposits to cover the cost of service, as well as act as a deterrent to non-payment of utility
bills; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Georgetown wishes to amend the current
utility fees and deposits, and adopt proposed fees and deposits, effective on all utility accounts
on and after October 1, 2003,
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 "MISCELLANEOUS" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Georgetown, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 13.04.190. Payments and collection.
B. When payment is not received by the due date, a ten percent penalty will be added to
the account, and a final notice will be mailed. If payment is not received within ten
days following the due date (or the next business day, if a weekend or City holiday,) a
Field Customer Service Representative (FCSR) will be dispatched to the location to
disconnect the utility service. An additional $28:80 $30.00 service charge will be
added to the account at this time, whether the meter is disconnect or a field collection
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of payment is received by the FCSR. If the account is disconnected, the customer will
be required to pay the account in full, by cash, credit card, or money order, before
services will be reconnected. In addition, the customer may be required to make the
standard utility deposit pursuant to Section 13.04.230.
Sec. 13.04.220. Other services and charges -All utility services
A. New account or transfer account charge, $25.00 $30.00. In order to transfer utilities
from one location to another, any outstanding bill on the current account must be
paid prior to transfer, even if it is .,tet ,,,tet past The final bill for the original
account will be transferred to and payable on the due date of the new account.
B. After hour connect / reconnect charge at customer's request, $200 $50.00. This
charge is in addition to any other charges already accrued, and is applicable to utility
meter connects and reconnects taking place any time other than regular business
hours (Monday — Friday, 8:00 AM — 5:00 PM,) including weekends and City holidays.
Sec. 13.04.230. Deposits.
A. Residential. A $100:08 $150.00 deposit is required on each dwelling unit unless
otherwise specified by this section, or if the customer can provide an original letter of
credit from another utility company, for the most recent 12 -month period preceding
the connect date, which has no late payments or insufficient checks.
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 and be in full force and effect in (10) ten days
on and after publication in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the City of
Georgetown.
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PASSED AND APPROVED on First Reading on the 26th day of August 2003.
PASSED AND APPROVED on Second Reading on the 91h day of September 2003.
ATTEST:
_Sandra D. Lee
City Secretary
APP VED AS TO FORM:
Patricia Carls, City Attorney
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THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN:
By: Gary N n
Mayor