Metering, Billing and Payments
For Commercial Gas Customers
Owatonna Public Utilities meters all consumption of services. Monthly billings are mailed out within 2 working days of our staffs reading of the meter. Meters are read over approximately 18 working days a month. The meters are generally read on the same working day of the month, so the billing and payment due date remains somewhat consistent for the customer.
The majority of our larger customers are read around the 26th of each month.
Info on Sealing and UnSealing Meters
A customer requesting the seal or unseal of a meter for their convenience, will be charged a fee of $10.00 plus tax per meter which will be added onto the customer's monthly bill.
When unsealing meters at the time of a move order, no unseal fee will be charged.
Installing or removing meters (not new construction) are also subject to this fee.
ACCESS TO PREMISES - OWATONNA PUBLIC UTILITIES has the right of access to the customer's premises at reasonable times for the purpose of installing, reading, inspecting, or repairing any meter devices and other equipment used in connection with furnishing of any or all service or for the purpose of removing its property and for all other proper purposes. Refusal to allow O.P.U access to equipment will result in disconnection of service.
It is the policy of the Owatonna Public Utilities (OPU) to offer their customers a net rate and a gross rate. The purpose of making a net and gross rate available to our customers is to encourage the prompt payment of all utility bills so that the majority of the customers can enjoy a lower utility cost since the Utilities is able to recover their costs sooner.
Procedure
- Bills for utility services will be rendered monthly.
- The term "monthly" for billing purposes will mean the period between and two consecutive readings of the meter. Such readings are to be taken as nearly as possible every 30 days.
- Failure to receive a bill does not exempt the customer from the provisions of these terms and conditions
- When OPU is unable to read meter after reasonable effort, the customer will be rendered an estimated bill. The subsequent billing will adjust any estimate previously billed.
- The customer shall receive a bill which shows the net amount for each commodity for each billing period and a gross amount for the total statement.
- Payments are due within 15 days after the billing date for customers with annual electric usage greater than 480,000 KWH. Payments for all other customers are due within 28 days after the billing date. A review will be made annually, in May, to determine which accounts should be reclassified. A variance of 10% is allowed in making reclassifications.
- When bills are paid on or before the due date, only the net bill will be collected. If the bill is paid after the due date, the gross will be collected.
- When the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, payments will be accepted on the next regular working day on a net billing basis. No due dates will be scheduled for the first 3 days of any month.
- In order for a payment to be considered on time, it must be received in the OPU business office on or before the due date. Postmarks will not be considered as proof of timely payment.
- The gross billing shall be the net billing plus 5% on the first $100 and 2% on the amount in excess of $100 per utility.
- Sales Tax is exempt from the gross billing adder.
- A customer is only subject to the gross billing when they pay late more than once within the preceding 12 month period.
Info on Automatic Payment Plan
NOW YOUR BANK, SAVINGS AND LOAN. OR CREDIT UNION CAN PAY YOU UTILITY BILL STRAIGHT FROM YOUR ACCOUNT AUTOMATICALLY.
YOU MAY NEVER SEND OWATONNA UTILITIES ANOTHER CHECK!!!
Just sign up for the Automatic Payment Plan with your bank, participating savings and loan, or credit union. They will automatically deduct the amount of your utility bill from your checking account. This service is available to you right now, no matter how you've been paying your utility bills. The Automatic Payment Plan lets you authorize the transfer of funds automatically from your account. The amount deducted will be shown on your monthly bank statement. Just think, from now on, no more checks to write, no stamps, no trip to pay your utility bill in person. With this new service, you'll still get your bill and have time to review it before it's paid. Plenty of time to contact us if you like. To save yourself time and bother, just step in to fill out an authorization agreement and leave a VOIDED check. We'll do the rest.
HOW YOU WILL BE BILLED
You will receive a statement from Owatonna Utilities during the same time frame
you are currently receiving your statement. Your bill will resemble a regular bill and will identify the amount to be deducted from your account on the scheduled payment date. This will provide you time to review your bill.
HOW TO STOP A PREAUTHORIZED PAYMENT
You have the right to stop any of the previously authorized payments from your account by contacting us or your financial institution. The stop payment request must be made at least 7 business days or more before the payment is scheduled to be made. If you call, we may also require that you put your request in writing within 14 days after your call. You will still be responsible for payment of your bill. Please contact your financial institution for your rights.
NOTE: Continue to pay your bill in the normal manner until you receive a statement with the words "BANK PAID" printed on the stub.
Q. What is the Automatic Payment Plan?
A. The Automatic Payment Plan provides Owatonna Utility customers the ease and convenience of
preauthorized bill payment without waiting in lines or mailing your payment/.
Q. How Does it work?
A. Upon completion of the enclosed authorization form, Owatonna Utilities notifies your financial institution that you wish to have your utility bill payment drawn directly from your checking account. Each month, 6 days before your due date, Owatonna Utilities; will notify your financial institution of the amount that must be subtracted from your account. Your financial institution will then withdraw this amount on your due date.
Q. How much will it cost me to sign up for this service?
A. There will be no charge from Owatonna Utilities. In fact, you will save money by not paying for postage if you presently mail in your payment. Please check with your individual financial institution fro information regarding their processing fees.
Q. How will I know if my bank, savings and loan, or credit union offer this service?
A. This new plan differs from other preauthorized payment plans in the most financial institutions(banks, savings and loans, and credit unions) are able to offer this service to their customers.
Q. What will my monthly bill look like?
A. On the stub portion of your statement, it will identify that you are a BANK PAID customer. The net amount will be deducted from your account on the due date shown on your statement.
Q. What happens if I do not agree with my bill?
A. If you feel that your bill is in error, call our office at least 7 business days before the scheduled payment date and ask that the account be reviewed for correctness. If your bill is found to be incorrect, your automatic payment amount will be adjusted accordingly.
Q. How will I know that my financial institution paid my bill?
A. The automatic payment plan works like a check in every way, except that instead of receiving a cancelled check with your monthly financial statement the paid draft will appear as a line item on your statement in the same way that automated teller transactions appear.
Q. What do I do if I change financial institutions, or move from one location to another?
A. Contact our office as soon as possible. Be prepared to provide your complete new savings, checking, or credit union account number, or your address change information.
Q. How can I sign up?
A.
- Carefully review the authorization form.
- Fill in all the information on the agreement.
- Bring in your completed authorization form with a voided check.
Q. After I return the form, when does the Automatic Payment Plan begin?
A. After Owatonna Utilities receives your completed form, you continue to pay your bill in the normal manner until you receive a billing statement that has the words "BANK PAID" printed on the stub portion., This is usually the first statement after signing up/.
Q. Can I use the Automatic Payment Plan if I am on the Budget Billing Plan?
A. Definitely! In fact, the Budget Bill Plan and the Automatic Payment Plan compliment one another. The stability of an average bill and the convenience of Automatic Bill Payment make a nice combination.
Q. Will I be charged a late charge if my bill is paid after my due date?
A. No. You never pay a late charge on the Automatic Payment Plan.
Q. How can I cancel the Automated Payment Plan?
A. The authority you give to charge your account will remain in effect until you notify us or your financial institution, in writing, to terminate the authorization.
ECI - ENERGY CONSERVATION INVESTMENT - EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1992. The 1991 Minnesota omnibus bill requires Owatonna Public Utilities (OPU) to invest 1% of our gross electric revenue and .5% of our gross natural gas revenue in energy conservation programs each year. This amount is being collected from all OPU customers and will be used for approved energy conservation programs for our customers. Any unused funds at year end are turned over to the State. We will attempt to answer questions concerning the omnibus energy bill.
EAA & PGA - ENERGY ACQUISITION ADJ AND PURCHASED GAS ADJ are the adjustments that take into effect the change in costs of purchasing energy and natural gas. Costs above or below the established base rates are calculated and applied each billing period.
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Owatonna Public Utilities
P.O. Box 800 Owatonna, MN 55060-0800 |
Phone: 1-507-451-2480
Fax: 1-507-451-4940 |
