Billing

1. Minimum Bill : When service is available to the consumer the minimum bill shall be due from the beginning of the first regular billing period, as established by the Association, whether or not the service is connected. Service is deemed to be available when the primary or secondary line extension is complete.

2. Monthly Billing Periods: Monthly billing periods shall consist of an approximately thirty day period during which service was rendered or available.

3. Meter Reading, Billing and Payment: The Association will read all meters of the Association each month on the schedule established by the Association. Bills shall be due on or before the 15th day following the date on which the bill is mailed to the Consumer, or “Payment Date.” If the Payment Date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday, the Payment Date shall be the next business day.

4. Late Payment: If a consumer fails to make payment on or before the Payment Date, any subsequent payment of that bill shall be a “Late Payment.” The late payment will be five percent (5%) higher than the original bill. If any bill is not paid as of the Payment Date, a “Late Notice” may be mailed. The late notice will remind the consumer that payment has not been made and that on the date specified in the Late Notice electric service to the consumer will be discontinued. If payment has been received by or satisfactory payment arrangements have been made with the Association, there will be no interruption in service. The consumer may request forgiveness of a late charge if there has not been a late payment within the last twelve (12) month period.

5. Faulty Metering: Bills will be estimated should there appear to the Association to be an incorrect reading or faulty metering during any billing period.

6. Minimum Charges:

1. Each bill rendered shall consist of a minimum charge computed in accordance with the applicable rate schedule, contract or the line connection policy. The consumer will be entitled to the use of the number of kilowatt-hours corresponding to that portion of the minimum charge in excess of the facility charge in accordance with the applicable rate. Charges for all additional energy used shall be added to the minimum charge.

2. The consumer will make any minimum charge payment, or guaranteed payment required under any rate schedule, contract or line connection policy with the Association, during any period that service is discontinued to the consumer in accordance with Rule No. 10.

G. Additional Charges:

1. In the event the current monthly bill is not paid by the Payment Date, the gross rate shall apply.

2. Should the Association make collection on the consumer’s premises or discontinue service for failure of the consumer to pay, a collection charge of $50.00 shall be made.

3. Any payment not received by the Association within ten (10) days following the Payment Date shall, in addition to any other charge or penalty, bear interest from the next Payment Date until paid. The interest will be calculated at the rate of 1.5 percent per month computed on the gross bill and any other charge due to the Association.

4. Other charges provided by these Rules.

H. Billing Adjustment:

If a consumer is found to have been billed on an improper rate, multiplier or energy charge, or found to have an improperly operating meter, the Association will apply the correct rate, multiplier or charge or make an adjustment for the improperly operating meter. The adjustment will be made to the bill for the month in which the error was found. If the Association is able to determine, to its satisfaction, the date on which the improper rate, multiplier or energy charge was imposed or improper operation of the meter commenced, previously rendered bills will be adjusted to reflect the correct rate, multiplier or energy charge or properly operating meter. Except as provided in Rule 16, any adjustment to previously rendered bills shall not exceed twelve (12) monthly billings from the date the error was discovered.

I. Prorated Bills:

On closing or opening accounts for service supplied for a fractional billing period under all schedules, billing will be on the basis of a 30-day period, and prorated for the fractional period on the basis of the ratio that such fractional period use, in actual days, bears to 30 days.

J. New Connections:

The following rules shall apply to all new connections:

1. For consumers served under monthly rates, the fraction of a month from the time that service is first available to the next billing date shall be billed. The initial billing period shall commence on the day that service is first available and shall end on the next scheduled meter reading date.

 

2. Where service is to be furnished only during a specified season, no proration will be required if service is made available on or before the first day of the season as defined by the Rate Schedule.

 

3. If service is not available at the beginning of the defined season, the annual rate shall be prorated according to the number of full months that service is available during the season as set forth in the contract or Rate Schedule.

K. The Budget Billing Plan is offered as a service to urban and rural residential members. It provides for levelized monthly payments of the members energy bill.

1. Availability: Available to residential consumers for home uses subject to the established rules and regulations of the Association.

2. Conditions to obtaining budget billing:

a. Must have received service as a member at the present location for the previous 12 months.

b. Must not have had more than one late payment for the previous 12 months.

c. Must not have been disconnected for nonpayment during the preceding 24 months.

d. Members may enter budget billing plan at the beginning of any monthly billing period.

e. Billing and collecting schedule will apply as per Rule No. 5 & 6.

f. Service disconnected for nonpayment will cancel budget billing plan and account will be balanced and brought current by the consumer before service is reconnected.

3. Establishment of payment amount:

a. Using the past usage history as a guide, a 12 month estimate of billing amount will be made for the next 12 month period.

b. This amount will be divided into 11 equal payments which will be billed and payable at the regular billing times. The twelfth month will be used to balance the account. If a balance is due the consumer, that amount will be credited to the next month’s energy bill or returned to the consumer. If a balance is due the Association, that amount will be billed the consumer.

c. If after yearly estimated payment is determined, usage starts to show excessive changes in projected usage, the Association may make reasonable adjustment of estimated payment.

d. A member may cancel the plan at any normal billing period by bringing the account current.