Termination of Utility Services

We would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to those customers who faithfully remit payment on their utility account in a timely manner. Your timely payments help in our efforts to keep operating costs to a minimum. However, as with most enterprises, there are those accounts that remain outstanding and in this case, face termination of services due to nonpayment.

Delinquent accounts are notified with a Disconnect Notice issued at the end of the month. This notice applies a 10% penalty and extends the payment period to the 11th of the month. Remaining delinquent accounts are then mailed a Termination Letter that contains information pertaining to possible payment assistance from various agencies. Another extension of approximately five days is allowed for settlement. On the fourth day, the office staff will attempt to reach the customer by phone. Services are terminated on the fifth day.

This procedure has developed into a lengthy and costly process. Because of this, the Termination Policy has been revised by City Council. Effective immediately, you will notice a change in the format of the regular monthly bill. The front is arranged in a more understanding format allowing more room at the bottom for messages. The back of the bill contains the assistance information formally contained on the Termination Letters.

The new termination policy goes into effect on August 20, 2003. The policy eliminates the termination letters and the reminder phone calls. Termination of services will occur after the due date on the Disconnect Notice. Please take a moment and read the back of the regular monthly bill carefully. If you are a customer who receives a Disconnect Notice, please read the information on that notice as well.

Ordinance 2003-39 amends the existing ordinance 1996-23 which addresses the termination policy. A complete copy of the ordinance can be requested by calling the utility office at 695-1410.

Ordinance 2003-39 states that services that have been terminated due to nonpayment may be reconnected during regular business hours provided:

• The delinquent portion of the account is paid in full
• Reconnect fees are paid in full
• Payment of first amount due on a Partial Payment agreement has been received
• Customer has not been disconnected more than two (2) times in the past six (6) months

If services have been terminated more than two (2) times in the previous six (6) months, a deposit is required to reinstate further utility services. The deposit shall be determined by taking the average of no more than twelve (12) consecutive previous months of utility charges.

The deposit shall be refunded after twelve (12) consectutive months of good standing with utility service.

The deposit shall be non-interest bearing.

Regular business hours are described as those hours followed by the electric and water departments, respectively. Services terminated due to nonpayment shall not be reconnected after regular business hours.

It is not our intention to cause hardship to our customers. It is to the benefit of the City of St. Clairsville as a whole to collect revenues due in our effort to keep rates and costs down. We very much appreciate your cooperation during this change and your continued good payment practices.

Back to Utility Department Homepage