Not sure if anyone noticed this on our city's website - utilities department.  They now have an application fee that if you want to set up new service you have to pay $100 for this application fee and then before they will set up the service they come to the home and do an inspection to make sure everything is up to code.  Then you have to pay another $150 as a deposit for the utilities.

Ok, so yes they state that they want to keep our neighborhoods from deteriorating but does that not sound like a way that they can just dig, dig, dig, dig, dig money out of people.  For instance, if the home is older it has certain grandfather clauses that cover some of the inspections that we have on newer homes today, but if you move into one of these homes and they say well your hot water heater is not up to current codes and you don't have certain outlets then guess what - application denied and in order to get water you have to get all those things fixed and then have another inspection.

Sounds like to me the inspection department does not have anything to do so making work and it sounds like another way for the city to make a buck!

What happens to someone if they move across town.  If you move across town  (this was before this change) you had to completely close out your account and they would mail you your refund and in the mean time you had to put another $150 down.  Now it sounds like even though you may have had an existing account - it closes out and you pay $100 app fee and $150 for deposit - kind of nuts!!!

That's sad.  I've been known to apologize, but firmly state that my policy won't allow that.

They want to inspect all of the houses to make sure they are up to code before they activate service. Plus it always helps to line their pockets.

Just another way the city can fee the heck out of ya.

I am absolutely appauled by the new ordinance.  It is a total ripoff and the city will get my attention.  A certificate of occupancy is for new construction only.  I have contacted a lawyer for advice...

UHOH.... and the rest of you... I am on your side and I have "high profile" people looking into this scam.  Send me an email to feedthefarm@gmail.com with your number and I can fill you in more. 

Other cities are doing this as well. Mesquite made us do so for our house and we just had family moving in. I am sure larger cities have high power lawyers go over this type of thing.

It is a sad thing when small towns just adopt the ordinances of the larger cities aroud them, although I dont think this is one of those times. For instance, when we moved in you could do something with your acreage; as of this summer I can mow it. They changed the ordinances so that only those with over 2 acres could have animals. We had visions of moving to a small town and partaking in the local 4-H clubs...sorry kids, no go I am not talking about anything more than a cutsie Martha Stewart little set-up; maybe a goat and a few fancy chickens as pets; behind a privacy fence...but laws are laws.

We will probably move out when the Market shifts more for the Sellers...could be a awhile

The Tough Smart Lawyer?

i dont concur. i think this is gay

WVU - I've been using Bank of America Billpay for years now.  There was one time when they didn't get the payment there on time, I called B of A, and they got the contact information, called the Utilities Dept, and they paid for the late fee.  It's all in the fine print.  So, you won't be held responsible, but the Utilities Dept. isn't going to drop the charge either.