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Utility Deposits May Be Refunded

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 23, 2008

DADE CITY - Residents who have paid their utility bills on time for the past two years could be getting a deposit refund under a proposal being considered by the city commission.

Approval of the measure, scheduled for a vote Tuesday night, could hinge on exactly how much money the city might have to ante up. City commissioners have expressed concern about reimbursing tens of thousands of dollars in deposits.

Not that the city can use the money - held in an escrow account - but the deposits are viewed as a safety net from customers who leave town without paying their final bills.

City Clerk and Finance Director Jim Class has crunched preliminary numbers and estimates that roughly 900 out of about 5,000 customers would be eligible for a refund.

That adds up to about $60,000, from an estimated $450,000 in utility deposits.

"Some people only have a $5 deposit," Class said. "Others would be getting more."

Most other local utilities - including Pasco County Utilities, which serves tens of thousands of households - refund customers in good standing after a period of time.
Dade City has no such provision on the books.

If approved, utility customers who haven't missed a payment for 24 months would be eligible for a refund on their initial service deposits, which currently range from $50 to $1,160.

The caveat: customers whose utility service is shut off for not paying their bills would have to pay a second utility deposit, along with the overdue bill, to restore service.

The measure would refund deposits for municipal water, sewer and trash collection.

Mayor Scott Black said he is concerned that elderly and low-income residents who fall behind on their utility bills could be hurt financially if their service is disconnected.

"I just think it might be better left alone," the mayor said. "And, as I've said before, I haven't been hearing from residents who want their deposits back from the city."

Also included on Tuesday night's commission agenda:

•A proposal to charge nonprofit organizations and other groups to use city parks and the American Legion building, which the city owns, for fundraisers and special events. The move, if approved, would require a fee for any non-city activities and do away with standing reservations for use of the building and parks on weekends.

•A proposed resolution to increase fees for building permits, fire safety inspections, contractor licenses and a whole host of other construction-related charges. City officials say the fees haven't been increased in years and don't adequately cover the cost of inspections and other municipal services the city is required to provide.

•Rename a section of U.S. 98, between U.S. 301 and the county line, after Special Agent John Van Waters, a U.S. Department of Justice officer killed in the line of duty on Oct. 4, 1922. Waters and Pasco County Constable Arthur "Fleece" Crenshaw were reportedly ambushed and killed searching for stolen goods near Dade City. They were the first lawmen whose deaths on duty in Pasco County were documented.

The commission meets at 5:30 p.m. in city hall, located at 14150 5th St. in Dade City.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 948-4216 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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