Chapter 13 PUBLIC UTILITIES SYSTEMS*

Section 13-16 Application for service; deposits; credit regulations.

    (a)    A cash deposit, amounting to approximately  twice the estimated monthly bill during the  period of greatest usage, may be required of the applicant to guarantee the payment of all bills and  for the protection of the city's property on the customer's premises. The city reserves the right to require such deposit to be made by the customer or the original deposit to be increased if at any  time in the judgment of the city such deposit or increase in necessary for the full protection of the  city. The requirement and amount of cash deposit shall be determined by the superintendent of the  utilities department in accordance with the established guidelines. A nontransferable certificate of deposit will be issued and means provided for proper refund if the certificate is lost.

    (b)    When service is discontinued, the amount of the deposit without interest will be credit on the final bill to the customer. The excess, if any, shall be paid to the customer.

    (c)    The city will refund, upon request, the deposit without interest to any customer whose residence or place of business is not mobile, who has received utility service at the same location  for twenty-four (24) consecutive months, who has paid his monthly bills promptly and regularly  and who is not currently or has not at anytime during the twenty-four (24) months been delinquent.

    (d)    The city may require a new deposit  of any customer who becomes delinquent at any time.

    (e)    Application for service will not  be accepted by the city until the applicant or person for  whose benefit applicant is acting has paid or has made satisfactory arrangements to pay to the city  all sums then owning and unpaid by him for service rendered by the city for any purpose, whether  at these or any other premises. After service has been established, the city reserves the right to  discontinue service if it finds service is to be shared with or is in whole or part for the benefit  of a  person owing the city for previous service whether at these or any other premises.

(Code 1958,  18-14; Ord. of 2-8-93; Ord. of 9-13-99)

(Ord. 1999-09, Amended, 09/13/1999, Prior Text)