It is the city’s responsibility to have utility bills mailed by the first (1st) of each month. If the utility bills are not mailed by the 1st of the month, all dates will be adjusted accordingly and noted on the statements. If a utility bill has not been received by the 5th of the month, it is the customer’s responsibility to notify the city. Each utility bill will include the following statement: “A ten percent (10%) penalty will be added to the water and electric charges if not paid by (e.g.) November 15, 2011.” In the event that the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date shall be the first business day following the weekend or holiday.
(Ordinance 2011-08, sec. II, adopted 11/14/2011; Ordinance adopting 2024 Code)
Late fees will be assessed on the outstanding balance as set forth above in the amount of ten percent (10%) to water and ten percent (10%) to electric and shall be applied to each unpaid utility bill on the 16th day of each month, unless the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case the late fee shall be assessed on the first business day following the weekend or holiday thereafter as provided above.
(Ordinance 2011-08, sec. III, adopted 11/14/2011; Ordinance adopting 2024 Code)
Provisions pertaining to disconnection of service for nonpayment and service suspension fee shall be as provided in section 12.01.007 of this chapter and reflect the standards established by Texas Administrative Code, title 16, part 2, § 24.167 and § 25.19.
(Ordinance adopting 2024 Code; Ordinance 2024-11-25 adopted 11/25/2024)
(a) 
Payment arrangements will be permitted only as set forth by the state public utility commission [16 TAC] chapter 25, applicable to electric service providers:
25.29 Disconnection of Service
(g)
Disconnection of ill and disabled.
 
(1)
Each time a customer seeks to avoid disconnection of service under this subsection, the customer must accomplish all of the following by the stated date of disconnection:
 
 
(a)
Have the person’s attending physician (for the purpose of this subsection, the term “physician” shall mean any public health official, including medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and any other similar public health official). Call or contact the electric utility by the stated date of disconnection;
 
 
(b)
Have the person’s attending physician submit a written statement to the electric utility; and
 
 
(c)
Enter into a deferred payment plan.
 
(2)
The prohibition against service termination provided by this subsection shall last 63 (sixty-three) days from the issuance of the electric utility bill or a shorter period agreed upon by the electric utility and the customer or physician.*
 
 
*City of Bartlett - 1st day of each month or should that day be a weekend or holiday, then the 1st business thereafter.
25.28 Bill Payment and Adjustments
(h)
Payment Arrangements. A payment arrangement is any agreement between the electric utility and a customer that allows a customer to pay the outstanding bill after its due date but before the due date of the next electric bill. If the utility issued a disconnection notice before the payment arrangement was made, that disconnection should be suspended until after the due date for the payment arrangement. If the customer does not fulfill the terms of the payment arrangement the electric utility may disconnect service after the later of the due date for the payment arrangement or the disconnection date indicated on the disconnection notice, pursuant to section 25.29 of this title without issuing an additional disconnection notice.
 
*City of Bartlett due date of utility bills is the 15th of each month or 1st day afterwards if the due date falls on a weekend or holiday.
(b) 
It will be acceptable policy/procedure for city utility customers to pay their utility bills in equal or other amounts without a “written agreement arrangement” but such utility bill must be paid in full by no later than the 25th of each month or the first business thereafter if the 25th falls on a weekend or holiday. Failure to pay in full by that time will result in disconnection of services unless other circumstances prevail.
(c) 
Payment arrangements, either oral nor written, are not allowable by anyone, employee nor elected official, except as provided above.
(Ordinance 2010-03, sec. VII, adopted 5/4/2010)
Testing accuracy of meters will be accomplished by a testing facility designated by the city. Cost of such tests will be at city expense unless such testing is requested by the utility customer. In this instance the utility customer will pay for the test beforehand. Should the meter test substantially inaccurate the customer will be reimbursed the cost of testing. Should the meter prove accurate within acceptable limits the customer will not be reimbursed his/her cost and the utility bill, if appropriate, becomes due and payable at that time or on the applicable “due date.”
(Ordinance 2010-03, sec. VIII, adopted 5/4/2010)
As required by the state public utility commission, each utility customer of the city, residential and commercial, is required to enter into a “contract” with the city. This contract will outline all services provided by the city, the cost of each service, a copy of this ordinance and a copy of the current city ordinance establishing the cost of electric, water and wastewater service. This contract will also inform the customer what is expected of him/her.
(Ordinance 2010-03, sec. IX, adopted 5/4/2010)
At the time of disconnection of electrical service, the city utility department will record the actual meter reading and serial number of that meter. A numerically recorded seal will then be applied to that meter base. The meter will be removed, marked as to the address it was removed from and a blank cover will be installed in the meter base. If service disconnection also involves disconnection of water service, the utility department shall lock the meter, record the water meter reading and apply a numerically recorded seal to the meter’s locking device leaving such meter in place. A disconnect fee in the amount set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code will be applied to the customer’s account balance. The city utility department will be responsible for periodic inspections of the disconnected service to insure the utility remains “out of service.” If it is found that the customer has taken action personally, or by the hands of others, re-established any service, the utility department is to immediately contact the city police department for appropriate legal action.
(Ordinance 2010-03, sec. X, adopted 5/4/2010; Ordinance adopting 2024 Code)
A reconnect fee as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code will be applied to the customer’s account for reconnection. That fee, along with all other fines, fees, penalties and service charges levied to the account, must be paid in full by the customer prior to utility service being returned to the property.
(Ordinance 2010-03, sec. XI, adopted 5/4/2010)
It is the desire of the city to provide accurate reading of all metering devices within its jurisdiction. All meters will be read and duly recorded to include resetting and sealing of meters. This will be completed by city utility worker(s). It is the goal of the city to have all meters read beginning about the 10th of each month until completed. Any customer(s) who wish to witness this action are encouraged to do so, provided such action occurs during the meter reader’s regular schedule.
(Ordinance 2010-03, sec. XII, adopted 5/4/2010)
All utility customers are required to provide city employees with access to all meters. Property owners or occupants of the property must insure that any animals on their property shall pose no danger to city employees. A city employee’s inability to access a customers meter(s) may result in a disconnection.
(Ordinance 2010-03, sec. XIII, adopted 5/4/2010)
The city shall assess a deposit fee for all new residential customers and for all new business customers in the amount set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code. If the customer pays their utility bill on or before the regular due date for 12 (twelve) consecutive months the deposit will be returned. The customer must submit his/her request in writing to the city billing clerk. Upon examination of the previous 12 months’ billing records, [if] the customer was late in payment of any one or more utility bills (in full or in part) the request will be denied and the deposit will be held for an additional 12 months from the most recent “late payment.” At the endof the subsequent 12 months, the customer may again submit a request for return of the deposit. The city may apply any or all of such deposit to an unpaid utility bill on customers who may leave the city owing a balance on their utility bill.
(Ordinance 2010-03, sec. XIV, adopted 5/4/2010; Ordinance adopting 2024 Code)
This article allows the city to impose a lien against a customer for delinquent bill(s) for municipal utility service to the residence and/or business in accordance with Texas Government Code, subchapter 1, and Local Government Code section 552.0025 as written and as herein amended.
(Ordinance 2010-03, sec. XV, adopted 5/4/2010)
(a) 
Deferred payment plan established.
(1) 
Purpose.
This section establishes a deferred payment plan for residents with overdue utility balances, allowing residents to retain utility service while gradually paying outstanding balances.
(2) 
Eligibility.
Residents with outstanding utility balances are eligible for the deferred payment plan, provided that:
(A) 
The account is not in default of a previous payment agreement.
(B) 
The applicant has no record of fraudulent activity related to utility usage.
(b) 
Terms of the deferred payment plan.
(1) 
Requirements.
(A) 
Participants in the deferred payment plan must make an initial down payment of 25% of the outstanding balance on their utility account. This down payment is due at the time the deferred payment agreement is signed.
(i) 
Proof of a satisfied deposit is required. If the account is determined that it has not satisfied a deposit; the deposit requirement, in accordance with this chapter, is then applied to the total outstanding balance owed on their utility account.
(B) 
Submit the following information:
(i) 
Name of account holder.
(ii) 
Account number.
(iii) 
Copy and print of account holder social security number.
(iv) 
A photo copy a account holder's personal photo identification.
a. 
Must be a government issued form of identification (e.g. passport, state identification card, state driver license, etc.).
(v) 
The account holder's signature affirming the following statement complete in full, "I __________ am the rightful account holder of account #__________ and affirm the correct service address is __________. I agree the balanced owed on the account is $__________ and waive my ability to dispute the credibility of the balanced owed by signing this agreement. I certify all the information completed on this form is true and accurate. I acknowledge that failing to comply with the terms of this agreement and Chapter 12: Utilities of the City of Bartlett Code of Ordinances will result in the termination of utility service of the aforementioned account."
(2) 
Installment payments.
The remaining balance, after the initial down payment, shall be divided into three (3) equal monthly installments. These installments will be due on the 15th day of each month until the balance is paid in full.
(3) 
Current invoice payments.
All current monthly utility charges must be paid in full by their respective due dates, in addition to the agreed installment payments on the remaining deferred balance.
(4) 
Determination of approval.
The city administrator is the assigned designee to approve or disqualify all submitted deferred payment agreements. The city administrator may only disqualify a deferred payment agreement if the applicant fails to comply with the standards of this section.
(c) 
Default and termination.
(1) 
Default of agreement.
Failure to make any required payment under this agreement, including current charges and installments, will constitute a default. Upon default:
(A) 
The city may immediately terminate utility services.
(B) 
A disconnect fee of $50.00 will be applied.
(C) 
Reconnection of services will require full payment of all outstanding amounts, plus applicable reconnection fees of $75.00 (during business hours) or $125.00 (after business hours).
(2) 
Limitations.
(A) 
Only one active deferred payment plan shall be allowed per account. Participants who default on a payment plan will not be eligible for a deferred payment plan on their original defaulted plan.
(B) 
Only one deferred payment plan shall be allowed per account per fiscal year.
(C) 
Customers who have already been terminated are not eligible to enter into a deferred payment plan and are subject to pay the balance in full.
(d) 
Enforcement and effective date.
This section shall take effect upon adoption and will be enforced by the city administration and the utility billing department.
(Ordinance 2024-10-28 adopted 10/28/2024)