Connected load.
A customer’s connected load is the sum of the continuous rated capacities or, in the absence of such rated capacities, the maximum demand determined by test, where necessary, of all energy-consuming devices on his premises, expressed in kilowatts or horsepower.
Customer
means any person, partnership, corporation, governmental agency, cooperative or other entity receiving service from the city.
Demand or load
means the load at the receiving terminals averaged over a specified interval of time expressed in kilowatts or kilovolt-amperes.
Demand charge
means a charge for the kilowatts billed.
Energy charge
means a charge for the kilowatt-hours used.
Horsepower (HP)
means the unit of mechanical power representing the rate of consumption of power and equivalent to 746 watts.
Kilowatt (KW)
means the unit of electric power representing the rate of consumption equivalent to 1,000 watts.
Kilowatt-hour (KWH)
means the consumption of energy equivalent to the use of one (1) kilowatt for one (1) hour.
Kilovolt-ampere (KVA)
means the unit of electric power representing the rate of consumption equivalent to one (1) kilowatt on one hundred percent (100%) power factor.
Month
means the period between two (2) successive monthly meter readings taken, as nearly as practicable, on the same equivalent day of each calendar month.
Point of delivery
means the point at which the customer’s wiring and installation connect at a single voltage with the facilities of the city or other party as arranged by the city.
Power factor
means the ratio of the kilowatts to the kilovolt-amperes.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 6A; 2001 Code, sec. 13.601)
Electric rates are set by resolution of the city council and are on file with the city secretary.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 6B; 2001 Code, sec. 13.602)
The energy charge per kilowatt-hour (KWH) shall be adjusted upward or downward each month by a fuel cost factor determined in accordance with the provisions set forth below:
(1) 
A preliminary estimate of the cost of fuel per KWH of sales based on the best information available shall be calculated on or about the twentieth (20th) of each month and shall be applied to the number of KWH billed for the billing cycle of each subsequent month. Total kilowatt-hours sold during the month will be adjusted for appropriate line losses for use in the fuel cost adjustment clause. It is anticipated that an adjustment will follow later as set forth in subsection (2) below.
(2) 
The adjustment to the estimate will be calculated for each month when the information is available and will reflect variances in the estimated and actual costs of all fuel used by the city’s wholesale supplier in its generating plants and variances in the estimated and actual fuel cost components of power and energy purchased by the city.
(3) 
The new fuel cost billing factor shall be used on the next bill rendered to each customer following determination and shall continue to be used until subsequent change is determined by test to be appropriate.
(4) 
The purpose of this clause is to reflect accurately changes in the cost of fuel. Therefore, from time to time the total amount which was to have been recovered since the last fuel factor change will be compared with the amount actually recovered in the same period. Any difference will be considered in establishing the fuel cost billing factor for use in a subsequent period.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 6C; 2001 Code, sec. 13.603)
All service meters installed on the customer’s premises shall be located either at a point where the service enters the building, or at a point adjacent to the front or rear property line, so as to be accessible at all times for inspecting, reading and testing.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 6D; 2001 Code, sec. 13.604)
(a) 
Schedule for reading meters.
The city will read its meters at the end of regularly scheduled periods. When for any reason the periods covered by such readings are substantially greater or less than the regular periods, bills will be computed by prorating on the basis of the regularly scheduled period covered by the meter readings.
(b) 
Estimation of consumption; fee when meter not accessible.
In the event that the scheduled reading of meters is not possible because of inability to gain access to the meter locations, the city will estimate the consumption, and for the periods between actual readings the city will render appropriately marked estimated bills for the periods involved. The meter reader will leave a tag on the door of any property where the meter could not be read. The tag shall state the reason the meter was not accessible and will indicate a time during which the meter reader will return to try to read the meter again. If the meter reader is not able to access the meter on this second attempt, utility billing staff will estimate the reading and the account will be charged a fee as established by the city council. The bills so provided shall have the same force and effect as if they were based on actual meter readings, and shall be paid in accordance with article 13.03 of this chapter.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 6E; 2001 Code, sec. 13.605; Ordinance 2102-391 adopted 2/11/02)
(a) 
The city shall have the right of access to the customer’s premises for any purpose reasonably connected with the furnishing of electricity to its customers.
(b) 
The city shall have the right to remove its property installed on the customer’s premises at the termination or discontinuance of service.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 6F; 2001 Code, sec. 13.606)
The city does not guarantee, but with the cooperation of the customer will endeavor to furnish, a continuous supply of electric power and energy and to maintain voltage and frequency within reasonable limits. The city shall not be liable for any damages which the customer may sustain by reason of the failure of the supply or variation in service characteristics or phase reversals, nor shall the city be liable for any damages that may result from the use of electrical appliances or from the city’s property on the customer’s premises.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 6G; 2001 Code, sec. 13.607)
(a) 
The energy charge per kilowatt-hour (KWH) shall be adjusted upward or downward each month by a purchased power cost factor determined in accordance with the provisions set forth below.
(b) 
Monthly billing shall include an amount per kilowatt-hour to be calculated according to the following formula:
PCA = (A – B + C ) KWH
Where:
PCA = Purchased power cost adjustment factor
A = Total cost of purchased power (without fuel adjustment charges)
B = Purchased power cost included in base rates (excluding fuel costs) C = (Over)/Under recovery balance from previous month
KWH = Total energy sold in kilowatt-hours
(c) 
When actual total cost (A) of purchased power is not known, these amounts shall be estimated based on the previous month’s purchases and seasonal trends. The purpose of this clause is to reflect accurately changes in the cost of purchased power, other than fuel adjustment charges. Therefore, any over or under recovery of these costs from month to month will be reflected in the determination of the PCA factor for subsequent periods.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 6H; 2001 Code, sec. 13.608)
It is hereby declared by the city council that a policy be set to require underground connection by the passing of this section:
(1) 
All new electric service installations and/or upgrades will require underground connection unless circumstances prevent such connections to be made in a code compliant and/or safe manner.
(2) 
The rate is set by resolution of the city council and kept on file in the office of the city secretary.
(Ordinance 2019-561 adopted 1/14/19)