Security Deposits
Residential Service Security Deposit
1. Types of service include homeowners, renters, landlords, and mobile home owners.
Electric Service $140.00
Gas Service $ 50.00
Water/Wastewater Services $ 60.00
Water Services Only $ 30.00
Wastewater Services Only $ 30.00
2. All deposits stated herein have been promulgated in accordance with the relevant sections of the City of Alexandria Code of Ordinances.
3. Alexandria, while not regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, has nonetheless adopted the following rule of the LPSC:
4. A customer or applicant that has been determined to be a victim of family violence as defined in the Louisiana R.S. 46:2121.1 by treating medical personnel, by law enforcement personnel, by the office of a District Attorney, by the office of the Attorney General, or by a designated representative of a family violence program established under the Louisiana R.S. 46:2122, et seq. shall be exempt from the utilities initial credit and/or deposit requirements as established by that utility. This determination shall be evidenced by submission of a “Certification Letter for Victim of Family Violence for Waiver of Initial Utility Deposit”, which may be obtained from a qualified certifying entity. The certification letter must be printed on the letterhead of the certifying agency or accompanied by a letter on agency letterhead identifying the certifying individual. The certification letter expires after ninety (90) days.
Commercial Service Security Deposit
It is a requirement of this utility for all commercial customers to post a deposit. Commercial customers are not eligible for a waiver of deposit.
1. Electric Service Security Deposit
Security deposits for new commercial electric service shall be computed based on one-sixth (1/6) of the estimated annual billing, utilizing connected loads as determined by Alexandria. For established locations, the most recent twelve (12) months active billing history for the previous customer(s) may be used and the deposit may be based on one-sixth (1/6) annual billing for that previous customer, or if the business or its mode of operation is, in the opinion of Alexandria, substantially different from the previous customer(s), the deposit may be computed by Alexandria for one-sixth (1/6) of the estimated annual billing for the location. Any change in estimated usage for an established location may result in a change in the deposit equal to one-sixth (1/6) of the estimated annual change in billing for the location. The minimum deposit shall be two hundred dollars ($200.00).
2. Water and/or Wastewater Security Deposit
Security deposits for new commercial services shall be computed based on one-sixth (1/6) the annual billing, as estimated by Alexandria. For established locations, the last twelve (12) months billing history for previous customer(s) may be used and the deposit may be based on one-sixth (1/6) of the annual billing, or, if the business or its mode of operation is, in the opinion of Alexandria, substantially different from the previous customer(s), the deposit may be computed by Alexandria for an estimated one-sixth (1/6) annual billing for the location. Any change in estimated usage for an established location may result in a change in the deposit equal to one-sixth (1/6) of the estimated annual change in billing for the location. The minimum deposit shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00).
3. Gas Security Deposit
Security deposits for new commercial services shall be computed based on one-sixth (1/6) the annual billing, as estimated by Alexandria. For established locations, the last twelve (12) months billing history for previous customer(s) may be used and the deposit may be based on one-sixth (1/6) of the annual billing, or, if the business or its mode of operation is, in the opinion of Alexandria, substantially different from the previous customer(s), the deposit may be computed by Alexandria for an estimated one-sixth (1/6) annual billing for the location. Any change in estimated usage for an established location may result in a change in the deposit equal to one-sixth (1/6) of the estimated annual change in billing for the location. The minimum deposit shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00).
Construction Deposit
Residential LocationsSecurity deposits for locations under new construction shall be required to pay the deposit requirements as stated in Chapter 2-A, Residential Deposits.
Commercial Locations
1. Electric
Security deposits for locations under new construction connecting the initial power pole will be required to pay two hundred dollars ($200.00). Before services are transferred from the pole to the building for permanent service, the builder may be required to pay a deposit based on one-half (1/2) of connected load as determined by Alexandria until final inspection is received.
2. Water
Security deposits for locations under new construction requesting water service will be required to pay a minimum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
Tenant Properties
3. Electric and Gas
Security deposits for locations connecting temporary power will be required to pay a deposit based on one-half (1/2) of connect load as determined by Alexandria.
4. Water
Security deposits for locations under new construction requesting water service will be required to pay a minimum of $100.00.
Deposits for New Apartment Complexes
Security deposits for each electric, gas, and/or water house meter will be required as stated in Chapter 2-B, Commercial Service Security Deposits. In addition, one residential deposit will be required from a builder/landlord to connect any unit in the house, duplex, triplex, complex or like multi-family structure at any given time. There will not be a deposit requirement for each unit for the owner of the complex if a Master Deposit is in place.
Service to any tenant property secured by the Master Deposit shall be limited to thirty (30) days. Services shall be disconnected at the end of the thirty day period unless the landlord or owner has made arrangement for a renewal of service; a renewal shall be granted provided the account has no outstanding balance at the time the renewal is requested. Renewals shall be granted for no more than thirty days each. The total number of consecutive renewals shall be three (3). Variances to this policy shall require the approval of the Customer Service Manager.
Deposit Required for Uncollectible Accounts
Persons applying for utility service(s), who have previously unpaid and uncollected utility bills with Alexandria shall make arrangements to pay Alexandria an amount equal to the outstanding debt and a standard deposit as a condition precedent to receiving utility service from Alexandria.
Bonds and Letters of Credit
For commercial accounts, in lieu of any cash security deposit, Alexandria may, at its discretion, accept a bond or similar security device. The bond may be executed by the applicant, as principal and a solvent surety company, preferably one qualified to do business in the State of Louisiana, as surety, conditioned that the principal therein shall timely and faithfully pay to Alexandria any and all sums due for utility services. Also in lieu of cash security deposit or a bond, Alexandria may accept an irrevocable letter of credit from a banking institution. Upon expiration, said bond or letter of credit shall be renewed or a cash deposit made. Failure to do either will constitute grounds for discontinuance of services, or other action deemed necessary by Alexandria. In no event shall a surety bond or letter of credit executed by a personal surety be permitted to substitute for the required security deposit. Alexandria shall send a letter sixty (60) days prior to expiration of bond or letters of credit informing customer of renewal. If renewal not received thirty (30) days prior to expiration, the customer will be billed a security deposit amount equal to the amount of the bond or letter of credit.
Application of Security Deposit to Final Bill
Upon termination of utility services, the security deposits, together with any accrued interest, shall be applied to any remaining utility charges outstanding at the time of final customer disconnect. After application of such funds to the remaining utility charges, any surplus may, at the discretion of the Customer Service Manager, be applied toward the payment of any other outstanding obligation that the customer has with the City of Alexandria.
Transfer of Uncollectible or Write-Off Accounts
Customers occasionally apply with the Customer Service Department for various payment assistance programs that require them to identify all persons residing at the service location for which they are applying. Persons stated to be residing at the service location on such application, or on any other document where a listing of persons residing therein is required, may have one or more uncollectible accounts or write-offs with Alexandria. If so, then the uncollectible or write-off amounts for such persons listed as residing at the service location will be transferred to the account of the customer applying for such assistance. A payment arrangement for the uncollectible or write-off amounts may be made at the discretion of the Customer Service Supervisor.
Also, information obtained from a person conducting business in reference to an Alexandria account (not necessarily their own account) may indicate that an uncollectible debt is owed to Alexandria by that person. In such a case, the uncollectible debt may be transferred to that Alexandria account.
Alexandria closely monitors tenant property accounts; any person attempting to circumvent debt collection proceedings by establishing a new account in the name of a resident other than the current indebted account holder shall be denied service.
Contact
Hours of Operation
Lobby: 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Drive-thru: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Mission Statement
The City of Alexandria, Utility Service Department ensures that all Utility Department repair “cuts” are restored in a timely, efficient manner. The department handles all utility mapping and field locating resulting in a safe and productive gas, water, and wastewater system.
The Utility Service Department also works in conjunction with the other city departments by making available for their use a trackhoe, backhoe, boring machine, city wide welder and welding machine, and any other personnel and/or equipment they may need to successfully complete a job. All of this helps to ensure the smooth operation of each department.
Function Description
The City of Alexandria’s Utility Services Department is responsible for:
1.Operating a utility cut repair crew to handle all “cuts” for the Utility Division.
2.Handling all utility line locating duties for the Utility Division.
3.Maintaining maps and “as built” drawings along with up-dating them as needed for the Utility Division.
4.Developing a computer operated mapping system using Autocad Software and the City of Alexandria Base Map.
5.Working in conjunction with the City of Alexandria, SCADA System.
6.Maintaining and updating data pertaining to fire flows and the wellhead protection program as well as the maintenance records of the Gas Distribution and Water Distribution Systems.
7.Working in conjunction with other city departments with equipment use.
8.Providing the services of a certified city welder to Utility and Public Works Divisions.
9.Developing, implementing & operating a City-wide geographical information system.(GIS).