City of Gainesville - File #: 120883.

• File #: 120883.
• Version: 8
• Name: RUC Recommendations on Customer Deposits (B)
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Adopted
• File created: 2/26/2013
• In control: City Attorney
• On agenda: 8/6/2015
• Final action: 8/20/2015
• Title: CUSTOMER AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES BILLING, DEPOSITS, AND OTHER PRACTICES (B) Ordinance No. 120883 An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending Chapter 27 and Appendix A relating to utilities; by amending section 27-7 relating to customer deposits; by amending section 27-14 relating to payment due dates and penalties for late payments; by amending section 27-21 by adding definitions to clarify the customer service regulations; by amending Appendix A, Schedule of Fees, Rates and Charges to revise the service charges for returned payments consistent with state law; providing directions to the codifier; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an effective date.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
8/20/2015	8	City Commission	Adopted on Final Reading (Ordinance)	Pass
8/6/2015	8	City Commission	Adopted on First Reading (Ordinance)	Pass
4/17/2014	7	City Commission	Approved as Amended	Pass
3/13/2014	6	Regional Utilities Committee
2/20/2014	5	City Commission	Approved as Recommended	Pass
12/17/2013	4	Regional Utilities Committee
11/14/2013	4	Regional Utilities Committee
9/12/2013	3	Regional Utilities Committee
1/17/2013	3	City Commission	Referred	Pass

title
CUSTOMER AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES BILLING, DEPOSITS, AND OTHER PRACTICES (B)

Ordinance No. 120883
An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending Chapter 27 and Appendix A relating to utilities; by amending section 27-7 relating to customer deposits; by amending section 27-14 relating to payment due dates and penalties for late payments; by amending section 27-21 by adding definitions to clarify the customer service regulations; by amending Appendix A, Schedule of Fees, Rates and Charges to revise the service charges for returned payments consistent with state law; providing directions to the codifier; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an effective date.

recommendation
The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.

explanation

CUSTOMER AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES STAFF REPORT

On January 17, 2013, the City Commission referred this item to the Regional Utilities Committee (RUC) to discuss late fees and delinquent disconnection practices. GRU staff presented information to the RUC at meetings on September 30, 2013 and February 20, 2014, relating to residential and nonresidential customer service deposits, utility bill payment due dates, penalties for late payments, and the revising of service charges for returned payments consistent with state law. On February 20, 2014, the City Commission approved the recommended changes. On March 13, 2014, the RUC met and agreed to recommend further changes to the City Commission relating to deposits, late payments, and certain definitions. At its April 17, 2014 meeting, the City Commission approved the recommendations as submitted by the RUC.

CITY ATTORNEY MEMORANDUM

On April 17, 2014, the City Commission authorized the City Attorney to draft and the Clerk of the Commission to advertise an ordinance to amend Chapter 27 of the Code of Ordinances as recommended by the RUC. Since that time the City Attorney's Office has been working with GRU Staff on...