Late payment fees, same-day activation fees and transfer of service costs, among others, will increase in order to eliminate inefficiencies and bring charges to the level of the cost of service, according to a city news release.
Other fees will be reduced or see no change, including the cost of activating new service, the release said.
According to the city, the majority of field-service fees has not changed in 10 years or more as new technology has updated processes. The city anticipates new meters that transmit data via radio signal to be installed citywide by late 2022.
The new meters will reduce field investigations and meter replacements, the release said.
As a result, customers who request a meter replacement or are caught tampering with meters will see increased costs, the release said.
A list of utility account services, along with their current and future fees, is available below:
- Same-day activation: currently $10+, will increase to $25+
- Same day transfer: currently $10+, will increase to $25+
- Additional meter test: currently $15, will increase to$75
- Meter removal: currently $20, will increase to $60
- Tampering/damage: currently $50+, will increase to $150+
- Late payment: currently 5% past due, will increase to 10% past due
