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Dade City Moves Ahead On Utility Refund

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 28, 2008

DADE CITY - Hundreds of city utility customers who pay their bills on time may be in line for refunds.

With a 3-1 vote Tuesday night, the city commission gave a tentative nod to the refund proposal. Mayor Scott Black voted against it; Commissioner Eunice Penix was absent. The commission must hold a public hearing and take a second vote before the proposal becomes law.

If approved, Dade City customers who have not missed a payment for 24 months would be eligible for a refund on their initial service deposits, which 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.

Jim Class, city clerk and finance director, said preliminary figures indicate that about 900 of about 5,000 utility customers would be eligible for a refund.

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

Commissioners also passed a resolution to increase construction-related charges, including fees for building permits, fire inspections and contractor licenses.
City officials say the fees have not been increased in years and don't cover the cost of inspections and other services the city must provide.

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

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