Over $5.6 Million to be Returned to Commercial Customers - To help area businesses, bolster the local economy and potentially foster new jobs, the City Commission today approved returning approximately $5.6 million in utility account security deposits to nearly 3,600 local businesses.
The new process for businesses is similar to a program that has been in place for decades for residential customers. It recognizes customers who establish a record of paying bills on time and thus pose less of a financial risk to the system and ratepayers, since any unpaid accounts are ultimately paid by all customers.
Local business leaders provided valuable input into this process, and the City Commission's action was supported by the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and the Utility Citizens Advisory Committee.
"This proactive, customer-friendly approach will help spur economic growth, which is so desperately needed," said Commissioner Andrew Gillum, lead commissioner of the proposal and the City's Financial Viability of the Government Target Issue Committee. "After listening to concerns expressed by Tallahassee business leaders and working diligently to address their needs, we decided to put the money where it is needed the most--in the hands of our customers."
To be eligible for a refund, a customer must have had a City of Tallahassee nongovernmental commercial utility account for at least three years, with no more than one disconnect order in the past two years, and a minimum deposit of $500. The refund will be 50 percent of the cash deposit for businesses meeting the criteria. In addition, the Commission approved providing an automatic refund of cash deposits greater than a business' one month average bill, after three years of good payment history. To help new businesses, the Commission also approved an option that would allow the initial commercial deposit for utilities to be paid over six months.
"The utility deposit refunds are good for our community," Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Chairman Bill Moor said. "In these tough economic times these refunds are a financial boost and show that our local leaders are trying to help our local businesses."
Checks will be issued over a six-week period beginning in January. Qualified businesses will receive a notice a week prior to the issuance of the refund.
For more information, visit Talgov.com/YOU or call 891-4YOU (4968)
Contact
Reese Goad, Utility Business and Customer Services 891-6803; or Alison Faris, Department of Communications, 891-8533
Tags: City Of Tallahassee Utility Refund
