Milford City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 20 25-12 on Monday, updating the city’s electric rules and tariff to align with recent state legislative changes and to expand customer‑notice protections.

City staff explained the changes during a public hearing. The updates respond to House Bill 62 at the Delaware level and clarify local procedures for disconnection notices, medical‑necessity protections and customer outreach.

A staff member identified in the record as Suzanne explained key changes: the range of temperatures that prevent disconnection has been adjusted (staff described revisions to the winter and summer thresholds used to trigger protections); the maximum time between a disconnect notice and utility termination has increased from nine to 14 days; and the city will continue its practice of calling customers in addition to mailed notices using its emergency‑notification system. Suzanne also said the city will follow Delaware’s code for medical‑necessity certification, which requires documentation from a medical provider, and that the city offers payment arrangements that are governed by city code. “The $50 administrative fee is for all the administrative work we have to do to contact those customers,” Suzanne said when a resident asked whether the reconnect fee would change.

During public comment Julie Morris asked whether fees or reconnect procedures would change; Suzanne confirmed the $50 administrative fee remains a council‑set component of the rate structure and that the city already coordinates with Delaware social‑service organizations to refer customers for assistance.

After public comment a council member moved to adopt the ordinance and Council member Katrina seconded. The motion passed by voice vote with no opposition.

What changed (high level):
- Disconnection notice window increased from 9 to 14 days, giving customers more time to arrange payment or enroll in a payment plan.
- Temperature protections and summer heat‑index thresholds were revised to match statutory or regulatory guidance cited in the staff report.
- Medical‑necessity procedures follow Delaware code and require provider certification; customers with approved medical necessity must make a good‑faith payment and coordinate with the city’s finance and customer‑service staff for dispute resolution or referrals.
- The city affirmed use of telephonic calls (using its emergency‑notification system) after 5 p.m. as part of outreach.

The council’s action updates the city tariff to reflect the state law changes and internal process improvements; it does not change the $50 administrative reconnect fee, which the council previously set as part of the rates structure.

Speakers quoted in this story are drawn from the public hearing record.