Detroit Lakes Public Utilties - General Customer Requirements
New Customer Requirements
Application for utility service must be filled at our office, 1025 Roosevelt Avenue, by the customer prior to obtaining such service.
Upon customer request, a service transfer fee of $15 will be charged when a customer is connected with utility service(s). Also, upon request for service(s) a deposit or credit reference (former utility) will be required. Owners/landlords will be required to pay the $15 transfer fee when service is transferred to their account. Service will be disconnected if owner/landlord does not request transfer of service to their account.
Service Deposit Policy (Eff. 1-1-98)
To establish credit with the Detroit Lakes Public Utility, a deposit may be required at the time of application for service. The required deposit will be an amount approximately equal to two (2) month average billing (electric, water & sewer) with a minimum amount of $50. All deposits bear interest at the rate of  3% per annum until service is disconnected or credit has been established to meet Public Utility satisfaction.
Deposits will be required from:
  1. New customer with poor credit history
  2. Present customers:
    a. With poor credit history;
    b. Unpaid utility from previous address;
    c. Who have been liable for service disconnection per
        Detroit Lakes Public Utility rules.
Customers may obtain service without a deposit if the service contract is guaranteed by a third party.
When satisfactory payment history has been established, the deposit plus interest, will be applied to the customers account for subsequent billings. When service is terminated, the deposit plus interest, will be refunded providing all obligations to the Detroit Lakes Public Utility have been discharged.
A new additional deposit may be required in cases where the deposit has been refunded or where the current deposit is inadequate. All deposits are non-transferable from one applicant to another and are payable only to the original applicant upon proper identification.
Temporary Electric Service for Construction or Special Events  (Eff. 6-1-02)
Customer shall provide an approved temporary installation including protective devices, wiring, enclosures, raceways, outlets, and meter sockets as necessary. Any customer requiring temporary service in excess of 200 amps shall be charged an additional fee based on actual additional costs to the utility. Non-metered, single-phase service may be available at the discretion of the utility for temporary service usage, which dies not exceed three (3) days. All metered temporary usage shall be billed the customer under the applicable rate schedule.
Service Fees:                                                                                    Single Phase ..... @ $30 per installation                                              Additional non-metered charge ... @ $15 per day of service                   Three Phase/existing transformer ... @ $50 per installation                    Three Phase requiring transformer ... @ $250 per installation
Service Reconnections (Eff. 6-1-02)
Reconnection of utility services upon a customers request or as a result of a disconnection for nonpayment of bill shall be subject to the following charges during normal working hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Electric Service:                                                                                Reconnection within 10 days from date of disconnection ... @ $30.00    Single phase service reconnected after 10 days ... @ $60.00                  Three phase service reconnected after 10 days ... @ $100.00 
Water Service:                                                                                  Reconnection within 10 days from date of disconnection ... @ $30.00    Reconnection after 10 days ... $60.00
An additional $60 shall be charged for any requested disconnection or reconnection made outside of normal working hours. No charge shall be made for disconnections made during normal work hours.
Collection of Active Accounts (Eff. 1-1-98)
Accounts are to be billed on a cycle basis on or about the 10th, 20th and 30th of each month, due and payable fifteen (15) days from date of bill. All bills not paid by due date will be assessed a late payment charge of 10% of the unpaid balance.
Customer Bill Payment Services (Eff. 6-1-02)
  1. Automatic Bank Payment: Upon customer's request and preauthorization agreement the utility will deduct customer's monthly payment from their checking or savings account on the due date of each month. Customer will also be mailed a copy of bill marked paid for their information and record keeping. Forms authorizing this procedure can be obtained at the utility office or be mailed to the customer at their request.
  2. Levelized Monthly Budget Billing: Upon customer's request the utility will calculate a budget payment plan providing for equal monthly utility payments. The customer should have a minimum of one year billing history, currently have a zero balance and begin the payment plan by July of each year. Monthly payment amounts are reviewed annually with necessary adjustments based on past year usages taking effect with the July billings.
  3. 24-Hour Drop Box: Our utility provides the opportunity for the use of drop box depository for your bill payment convenience. One drop box is located just south of the main entrance doors at the City Administration Building, 1025 Roosevelt Avenue, and another box, which is vehicle accessible, is located just north of the Graystone Complex in the island between the Graystone Plaza and Highway 10.
Past Due Notice
In accordance with Utility Collection Policy with the Charter of the City of Detroit Lakes, past due accounts are considered a lien against the property and will be the responsibility of the property owner. The first notice of a past due amount is to be mailed five (5) days after the due date.
Disconnect Notice
The disconnect notice is to be mailed or delivered twenty (20) days after the bill due date. Approximately 48 hours from the time the disconnect notice is mailed or delivered, service will be disconnected if arrangements are not made to pay past due amounts, plus current bill. In the case of tenants, the landlord also receives a duplicate of the disconnect notice.
Residential Winter Disconnect Policy (Eff. 6-1-02)
During the period of October 15 to April 15, we operate under the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Cold Weather Rule, which protects residential customers from disconnection of electric service that affects their primary heat source when the following conditions are met:
  1. The disconnection would occur between October 15 and April 15;
  2. The customer has declared inability to pay on forms provided by the utility or provides proof of receiving "any form of public assistance", including energy assistance;
  3. The household income of the customer is less than 50% of the federal poverty level (as documented by the customer to the utility);
  4. The customers account is current for the billing period immediately prior to October 15, or the customer has entered into a payment schedule and is reasonably current with payments under the schedule.
The rule does not totally forbid winter disconnection. It provides protection from shut-off to those who qualify under the rule. Those who qualify are persons who are unable to pay their utility bill, are willing to enter into a payment schedule, and their household income is within Cold Weather Rules prescribed limits.
Before disconnecting electric service to a residential customer during the Cold Weather Rule period, Detroit Lakes Public Utilities shall provide the following information to a customer:
  1. A notice of proposed disconnection;
  2. A statement explaining the customer's rights and responsibilities;
  3. A list of local energy assistance providers;
  4. Forms on which to declare inability to pay;
  5. A statement explaining available time payment plans and other opportunities to secure continued utility service.
If Detroit Lakes Public Utilities and a customer who has received a disconnect notice cannot mutually agree upon a payment schedule, the customer may appeal tot the Detroit Lakes Public Utilities Commission for a payment schedule. No disconnection will take place if a customer appeal is pending.
Who to Contact Regarding Overdue Utility Bills
  1. Gary Magee at the City Administrator Building, 1025 Roosevelt Avenue, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may stop in or phone 218-847-5658 for an appointment.
  2. Becker County Welfare Department, Becker County Annex, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or for appointment call 218-847-5628.
  3. Mahube Community Council, Inc., 1125 West River Road, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 218-847-1385 for an appointment.
Non-Sufficient Funds
When payment is received by check and check is returned for lack of funds on the account drawn, a late payment charge will be assessed to the account unless the check is made good by the due date on the bill.
Collection of Final Bills and Inactive Delinquent Accounts
  1. Final bills will be mailed within ten (10) days of the final reading date.
  2. Bills will be mailed to the forwarding address. If no forwarding address is given, the bill will be mailed to the service location.
  3. Quick bill finals can be produced within 48 hours after the final reading on a limited basis, upon request.
  4. Final bills are due within ten (10) days. This includes final bills belonging to landlords or bills deducted from a tenant's deposit.
  5. The homeowner who receives service is responsible for all amounts due prior to the change of ownership. However, if service to a home is disconnected prior to the change of owenrship, all past due bills must be paid before the service will be reconnected.
  6. 1st collection notice mailed ten (10) days after billing of final bill (due in 10 days).
  7. 2nd collection notice mailed twenty (20) days after billing of final bill (due in 10 days).
  8. 3rd and final collection notice mailed after thirty (30) days.
 

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