Budget Billing Sign-ups Now Being Taken May-July
HOW DOES BUDGET BILLING WORK? The budget-billing plan offers customers a level dollar amount to pay every month as opposed to the normal fluctuations in utility bills that occur with changes in the seasons. The level dollar amount reflects an average of your consumption over the past 12-month period. Each month you will receive a bill for the actual amount consumed, along with any credit accumulated or any charges not covered by the budget billing. Generally, in the months after you sign up you will build a credit in your account. It is very important that you continue to pay your budget amount every month, because it is this credit that will cover your increased consumption during the winter months. Failure to make your budget payments within the first twelve months you are in the program will result in your removal from the program because this will place you behind.
HOW IS MY BUDGET AMOUNT FIGURED? The budget amount is calculated by adding the utility usage for the 12 month period and dividing by 12. The average consumption is taken to the appropriate rate table and the charge is calculated. The City of Hawarden adds an additional percent for fluctuations that may occur throughout the year. Electric, garbage collection, sewer, water and security lights are adjusted by 10%. Gas consumption is adjusted by 40% to account for the fuel adjustment increase.
HOW AND WHEN DOES MY ACCOUNT GET ADJUSTED? If at any time, the budget amount does not cover the actual charges, the account will be reviewed and a new budget amount refigured reflecting the change in household consumption or you will be removed from the program. If the budget amount is on target, the account will be reviewed every April and a new budget amount will be refigured. At that time, the account will be credited for the amount overpaid or receive a bill for the amount underpaid. If the budget amount does not cover the actual consumption, the customer is still responsible for the difference. The adjustments mentioned above are designed to avoid this, but occasionally, it still happens.
HOW DO I GET SIGNED UP? If you are interested in the budget-billing plan or have additional questions, call (712) 551- 2565 and request a budget-billing amount be prepared for your account. A letter will be sent to you with budget-billing amount. Your account must be brought to a zero balance before you are eligible to start budget billing. If your account is paid in full and you agree to the dollar amount you simply sign and return the document to the city offices at the address at the bottom of the page.
