APPLICATION FOR UTILITY SERVICE

Although the city may not choose to do so, the city retains the right to access your credit history in making credit decisions concerning your required deposits, if any. Any cost in collecting any delinquent amounts will be "in addition to" all other charges & amounts. Signing below will indicate that the applicant agrees to and has received a copy of the "Customer Service Policies & Procedures" document.

The Customer is responsible for timely payment of the utility bill. Untimely payments may result in an additional late fee and could lead to termination of service. Return checks will be assessed a processing fee and may also result in a late payment fee. If the Customer cannot make a timely payment of the utility bill. they should contact the City to determine if a payment arrangement is possible.

The City will refund security deposits following discontinuance of service. When service is discontinued. the amount of the deposit, without interest, will be credited on the final bill to the customer. The excess, if any, shall be paid to the customer's forwarding address or to the last known mailing address. Deposits on delinquent accounts shall be used to liquidate delinquent utility bills

Utility service may be disconnected by the City of Commerce for the any of the following reasons: Customer request for disconnection Emergencies, repairs and maintenance Unauthorized use, tampering Unsafe conditions: and Non-payment. Non-Payment Customers are subject to disconnection of service for any of the following reasons:

Failure to pay or make deferred payment arrangements acceptable to the City Failure to comply with deferred payment arrangement Failure to pay required initial deposit Failure to pay as a result of returned check/insufficient funds or third party arrangements. If the account becomes delinquent and service is terminated, the Customer will be subject to a reconnection fee and any late payment fees that may be appropriate. The Customer will be liable for any collection fees and/or legal fees incurred by the City of Commerce for collection of utility payments. The City is prepared to work with the customer to avoid service disconnection. The Finance Department is authorized to make reasonable payment arrangements and/or provide information on payment assistance programs.

The Customer agrees to provide safe, unobstructed access at all times to all utility lines, equipment and meters on the property. Structures or equipment may not be placed over utility lines, equipment and meters. Shrubs, bushes and/or undergrowth will be kept clear of underground utility lines, equipment and meters and precautions will be taken not to plant shrubs or trees that will eventually interfere will overhead lines. Debris or rubbish will be kept clear of utility lines, equipment and meters. Pets should be fenced/restrained a safe distance from meters.

UTILITY LINES/PIPING/METERING EQUIPMENT

All meters, service lines, poles, transformers, outdoor lights, or other equipment associated with establishing utility service to the Customer premise are the property of the City of Commerce. Lines and equipments after/beyond/downstream of the utility meter is the property and responsibility of the homeowner. Sewer lines, from the house to the road right of way, are the property and responsibility of the homeowner.

Any and all gas pipe downstream of the gas meter belongs to you, the gas consumer. The gas consumer is responsible for maintenance and operation of this portion of the fuel line system. The City of Commerce does not own the gas line beyond the gas meter; therefore, we do not routinely maintain or locate fuel lines. All buried gas piping should be, periodically inspected for leaks and periodically inspected for corrosion (if piping is metallic If any of unsafe condition is discovered, the piping should be repaired, replaced or shut off immediately. Commercial plumbers and/or heating contractors may be contacted if and when gas fuel lines need attention. Buried gas piping should be located and marked in advance before any excavating is performed near the pipe. Excavating near the buried gas pipes should be done by hand.

Digging or Excavation Along Right-Of-Way and Around Utility Lines

The Customer will take reasonable precautions to protect the City's utility property/ equipment. Before doing any excavations or major outside construction, they will call the Utilities Protection Center (phone 811 Excavating near underground utilities should be done by hand. The City of Commerce reserves the right to charge for necessary repairs or replacement of utility property/equipment damaged or loss due to negligence.

Unauthorized use, misuse. or tampering will result in disconnection of service immediately. The offender may be subject to prosecution. Estimates of usage and damage shall be billed. Flagrant unauthorized use or tampering may also result in the removal of utility service lines and measuring device from the premises. Reconnection would be subject to all back payments, damages, penalties, and reconnect fees.