|
Opening and Closing
Accounts
To
open an account with the cooperative the person or entity whose name the account
will be in must complete and sign a membership agreement form. A deposit or
letter of credit will be required before the account is connected.
Members must inform the cooperative when they want their service
terminated. They are responsible for the bills until we are notified
to take the account out of their name, and get the final meter reading.
Rates
The
cooperative has three rates schedules. The residential and farm service
rate schedule is for single family residential and farms. The general service
rate is for multi-family homes, commercial, industrial, public buildings
and other uses not subject to other specific rate schedules. The irrigation
schedule applies only to irrigation installations.
Deposits
General
Service Accounts -- A deposit of up to two months highest usage in a twelve
month period may be required if a letter of credit with good credit history
for the past twelve months can not be provided by the new member from their
prior electric utility. The deposit may be applied to your account
after the member establishes twelve months of good credit history with the
cooperative. A deposit maybe required for existing members who have
bad credit history with the cooperative.
Irrigation Accounts -- A deposit of up to $30.00 per horsepower may be
required on irrigation accounts if a good letter of credit or bank guarantee
can not be provided. Irrigation members need to contact the
cooperative personnel to find out what the deposit requirement will be.
Your Meter and Meter
Readings
Members
billing statements are based on readings taken from cooperative
meters. It is important that meters be accessible. The meter
should not be inside a building or blocked by bushes, trees,
porches, decks, or stored items. If the meter is located inside a fenced
yard where there are protective dogs, locked gates or other situations
making the reading difficult, arrangements will need to be made with our
office for monthly access by the meter readers. A condition of
membership is the right of access to the meter.
General service meters are read once a month. For consistency we try
to read the meters the same time each month. Irrigation meters are read in
March and October of each year. If a meter fails, or weather
conditions or some other problem prevents us from reading the meter, an
estimated bill will be generated based on prior usage history.
Billing and Credit
Information
General
service bills are mailed around the first of each month and shall be due
and payable when mailed. Bills
become delinquent if not paid by the close of business on the 20th day
after the date the bill is mailed. A delinquent notice fee of the greater
of $5.00 or 1 1/2 % of the past due balance shall be assessed each month on
all accounts with a past due balance greater than $30.00 on the delinquent
date. The bills may be paid by mail or in person at the Ritzville
office located at 1373 N. Hwy 261, Ritzville,
Washington, or at the Mesa
drop box located at E. 102 Columbia, Mesa,
Washington. When making
payments by mail or in person please supply the payment stubs. We
accept cash, checks, money orders, cashier checks, debit or credit cards. There are drop boxes at both locations for
after hours business.
Irrigation bills mailed at the end of March and are due upon receipt.
Irrigation bills mailed in early November are billed net (with a 5%
discount) and due no later than 4:30 PM the third business day of January each
year. After 4:30 PM on the third business day of January each year
they are considered past due and billed gross with 1.5 % interest per month
assessed thereafter until paid.
Credit and Collections
If you are having
difficulty paying the bill or have a special circumstance, please notify
our office. We can respond more quickly and helpfully knowing your
situation and needs.
A disconnect/collect trip will be made to any account that has not had the
balance owed paid by the date listed on the delinquent notice, or if credit
arrangements have been made and not honored. At the cooperative
discretion the account will be physically disconnected or a notice left
granting a three day extension to pay the bill. A fee of $35.00 will
be assessed for each trip made for an account during regular work
hours.
Should an account be disconnected for non-payment, it will not be
reconnected until the entire amount owing up to the disconnect date has
been paid including the disconnect trip fee of $35.00, and reconnect trip
fee of $35.00 during regular working hours or $150.00 for after
hours.
The cooperative may terminate service without notice in dangerous or
emergency conditions or for the theft or illegal diversion of electricity.
There will be a fee of $25.00 for each time a check is submitted to the
bank for payment and returned for non-sufficient funds. After two
non-sufficient fund checks a member will be required to make payments by
cash, cashier check, or money order.
|
