Council adopts consolidated utility service fee schedule; after-hours reconnect window set to 5–8 p.m.
Loading...
Summary
The City Council adopted an ordinance consolidating utility service fees, approved modest reconnect fee increases and clarified after-hours reconnect policy (standard reconnects through 8 p.m.; after 8 p.m. only for emergencies). Vote was unanimous.
The Lockhart City Council on March 18 adopted a consolidated utility service fee schedule intended to streamline billing and service charges and improve transparency.
Finance Director Keeley Migna presented the proposed ordinance, which consolidates existing fees, proposes modest increases for reconnect and bucket truck usage fees, and adds charges for meter tampering and multiple-trip service calls (with separate rates for normal business hours and after hours). Keeley said the city currently charges a $25 new/transfer account fee and would not change deposit requirements; reconnect fee increases were described as a roughly $25 increase to align with peer municipalities. The city proposed setting an after-hours reconnect policy so staff would perform standard reconnects until 8 p.m.; after that time, dispatch would respond only in emergency life-safety situations.
Council discussed technical details including how after-hours reconnections are handled, meter-tampering definitions and whether reconnects could occur as late as 8 p.m. staff clarified that after-hours refers to work after 5 p.m., with standard reconnects permitted through 8 p.m., and reconnections after 8 p.m. limited to emergencies.
Action: Council Member Westmoreland moved to approve Ordinance 2025-O6 (utility service fee schedule). Council Member Michaelson seconded; the motion passed 6-0.
Ending: The new consolidated fee schedule will be posted and used for billing and service operations; the adopted after-hours parameters and tampering definitions will inform operational protocol and customer communications.
