All customers and potential customers of one or more of the Utility Services provided by the Department of Public Utilities of the City of Orrville, Ohio, shall be subject to the provisions of this policy

All bills for service applied are due when rendered and are payable at Orrville Utilities' Billing Office or at an authorized collection agent for payment of bills, on or before the net due date specified on Customer's bill for electric service.  If all accounts of Customer are not so paid, the Gross Rate specified in the schedule shall become payable.

Bills will normally be rendered by Orrville Utilities to the Customer at approximately monthly intervals (the word "month" being defined as the elapsed time between two (2) successive meter readings approximately 30 days apart).  If the meter is not read on a monthly basis, Orrville Utilities will render a bill based upon an estimated 30 days consumption using Customer's past and projected consumption as an estimating base.

Said bills are payable in person or by mail at the Cashier's Office, on or before the date and/or time limit specified on the bill.  Failure to receive a bill or the existence of a Customer Deposit will not entitle Customer to any discount or to the remission of any charge for non-payment within the date or time limit specified.

Payments that are made to the Utilities Cashier's Office will be considered at net if made before closing on the net due date or in their respective drop slots before said agent opens for business the day following the net due date. 

Customer may elect to be billed on any equal payment or Budget plan.  Said plan is set up primarily for Customer's that have seasonally fluctuating loads such as electric heat or air conditioning.  See Budget Plan Policy, Exhibit A.

In the event of the stoppage or the failure of any meter to register the full amount of power consumed, the bill will be based on the customer's use of power in a similar period.

When a bill for electric service is questioned, Orrville Utilities will cause an investigation to be made and any billing adjustments shall be determined in accordance with said investigation.  Bill adjustments for meter errors shall be made pursuant to Rules and Regulations.

In cases where any factors required for application of Rate Schedules or other provisions are not subject to exact determination or are disputed, the Director of Utilities shall establish such factors and shall authorize billing adjustments to be made.

For a partial month's  service to Residential and Commercial Customers, when either the initial billing period after service is first established or the final billing period up to the time of discontinuance of service by the Customer is less than the regular meter readings or billing period of approximately 30 days, Orrville Utilities reserves the right to apply the following billing procedure:

When the Customer's account is being transferred from one location to another and the period of service involves five days or less of the Orrville Utilities' regular billing period, the Customer's initial usage at the new location will be carried over into the next succeeding regular billing period for said new location and shall be combined with and be considered as part of same.

 

For all other services furnished for a partial month, including all final bills, the bill shall be calculated in accordance with the charges (including Minimum Charges) as set forth in the applicable Rate Schedules with no prorating of the rate blocks of the Minimum Charge being made.

For initial service to Consumers served under Orrville Utilities' General Service Small, Medium, Large or Industrial, whose initial period of service is ten days or less, Orrville Utilities reserves the right to combine the Demand and Minimum Charges with the next succeeding billing period at that location. 

Customers who intend to move from the premises or discontinue the use of electricity or in any way terminate their liability hereunder shall give Orrville Utilities reasonable notice of such intention (two [2] working days).  The Customer and/or Property Owner will be liable in accordance with the laws of this State and Orrville Utilities' Rules and Regulations for all electricity used upon the premises until such notice is given and Orrville Utilities has made final meter readings and/or service has been discontinued.

When the accuracy of a meter is questioned, upon request from the Customer, Orrville Utilities will test the meter by comparing with a standard test meter.  If the meter is found to be correct to within plus or minus 2%, the Orrville Utilities reserves the right to make a charge equivalent to a trip charge,  to partially cover the expense to make such a test, the fees to be included and paid together with Customer's next bill, which is to be paid on or before due date.  Orrville Utilities reserves the right to require a deposit to cover said charge, same to be paid to Orrville Utilities before making test.  See Exhibit A in the Appendix.

If the meter being tested is found to be incorrect beyond plus or minus 2%, no charge shall be made for testing and Orrville Utilities will adjust the bill in proportion to the error (either fast or slow) for the period covered by the bill in question and to the date of installation of a new meter.  Said adjustment period shall not exceed six months.

Notice to Customers due to Non-Payment

Notice to Customer may be given by whichever of the following methods is applicable. To Discontinue Service for Non-Payment of Bill:  All Customer bills shall clearly state the due date of the bill.  The Customer shall be given a separate printed notice by mail from Orrville Utilities at least five (5) days in advance of the date that service is subject to disconnection by Orrville Utilities.

 

For complete details and information regarding policies of Orrville Utilities, please reference the Electric Rules and Regulations, Water Rules and Regulations, and Wastewater Rules and Regulations.