Dear City of Jourdanton Utility Customer
We would like to provide you information about your April 28th, 2023 City of Jourdanton Utility bill due May 12th, 2023. As you know, per city ordinance: “Water bills are due on the 12th of every month before 3:00 p.m. Unpaid bills will receive a late fee of 10% and are due on the 22nd of every month before 3 p.m. to avoid an additional $30 reconnect fee.”
WHAT IS DUE BY MAY 12th 2023?
- At this time, for the third consecutive month, simply pay the TOTAL AMOUNT DUE less the PAST DUE AMOUNT to avoid late fees and or disconnection of water service.
- In other words, subtract the PAST DUE AMOUNT from the TOTAL AMOUNT DUE. That is your temporary payment due May 12th, 2023 to avoid late charges and possible disconnect.
- This is the third billing cycle that the full utility bill charges will be delayed-until July payment.
- The temporarily delayed (3-4 month) PAST DUE AMOUNT will be due July 12, 2023.
- All late fees and disconnects have been waived since January during the SMART Meter transition.
CITY COUNCIL HELP: On April 17, 2023 the City Council approved a motion “to not collect backbilling charges - (water consumed but not properly billed based on low averaging of utility bills, for many years) - from the old meters for the previous 12-month period and to start billing at water usage from the zero reading of the new smart meter.”
- Each new SMART meter was installed with a zero reading. Each SMART meter shows an accurate reading.
- Accounts are billed ONLY for new utility customer consumption - not for water used by a prior customer at the same address.
- Account information can only be provided to the named account holder.
Over the next 60 days the city will personally audit each of 1,764 accounts to determine if any backbilling charges – (in the PAST DUE AMOUNT) has been assessed or paid via automatic payments or a payment plan.
Given the SMART meter installation started on November 14, 2022 and will continue through April 2023- for another 5% of meters- any possible backbilling (for underpayments,) may have been assessed on any billing cycle from December 2022 through April, 2023- depending on: 1) when your meter was installed; and 2) when the city’s billing system received the computer files with the underbilling amount from the meter installer.
When the city completes the audit, (in about 60 days) any possible credits/refunds due under $150.00 will automatically be applied to the account. Credit card refunds can’t be issued. Residents due a refund in excess of $150.00 can leave the balance on the account or request a refund- via an email to -utilitybilling@jourdantontexas.org . Additional reminders will be coming out later.
Customer AssisTANCE WITH SMART METER CONVERSION PROGRAM
- Waived late and reconnect fees: (February/March 2023).
- Water Leak Forgiveness Program- with documented plumbing repairs.
- Payment Plan (3-6 months) extended to 12 months with City Manager approval.
- My Water Advisor 2.0 App - it can help detect leaks.
- $1 million in utility assistance offered by Community Council of Texas
- Community Action Partnership- 830-876-9812 Ext. 545 – www.ccsct.org offers financial assistance to qualified persons.
The City of Jourdanton is an equal opportunity employer and provider.