Municipal Utilities
The City of Sergeant Bluff provides electric, water, sewer, and garbage to some if not all residents of Sergeant Bluff. Please contact City Hall for more information. (712) 943-4244. City Hall is located at 501 4th street.
Address Change
The Sergeant Bluff Post Office is located at 410 4th Street. Click here to be directed to the USPS website to complete a change of address.
New Service
For new residents we require a Utility Application Form to be completed, copy of the lease agreement (If applicable), copy of two forms of identification for each applicant, along with a deposit. (For deposit information, contact City Hall.)
Deposits
Water
There shall be required from every customer served, who is not required to have an electric utility deposit, a deposit is the amount of the highest one month billing of service for the account location in the previous twelve month period. The deposit is intended to guarantee the payment of bills for service.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84)
(Ord. 588-Feb. 13 Supp.)
Electric
A deposit intended to guarantee payment of bills for service may be required prior to approval of the service application. In any case where a deposit has been refunded or is found to be inadequate, a new or additional deposit may be required upon twelve days written notice of the need for such deposit.
Credit Criteria for Initial Deposits
a. No initial deposit shall be required of an applicant: 1) who has previously established a credit history with the utility; 2) whose twelve most recent bills from the utility were timely paid (including one automatic forgiveness of late payment); and, 3) whose new service is subject to the same rate classification as that for which the payment history was established.
b. An initial service deposit not exceeding the highest monthly billing for service during the previous twelve month period shall be required of an applicant for service who does not meet the criteria of subparagraph "a" above.
Credit Criteria for New or Additional Deposits
A new or additional deposit may be required of a current customer whose initial deposit has been refunded or is found to be inadequate. The new or additional deposit shall ensure a total deposit equal to the highest monthly billing service during the previous twelve month period and shall apply to customers who make two late payments in a twelve month period including one automatic forgiveness of late payment.
Deposit Calculation Criteria
In calculating customer deposits, which may be based on the maximum estimated charge for a billing period, the amount shall be determined from the highest meter reading period of the previous year. The maximum level of consumption so determined, may be adjusted for reasonably determinate differences in the likely level of energy consumption, including: number of persons served; change in the type of service; and. the installation or removal of energy conservation or alternate energy measures. Where the service connection was not previously metered, the maximum estimated charge shall be based on comparable existing service of the utility.
Interest on Deposits
No interest shall be paid on customer deposits on and after March 1, 2013.
Receipt of Deposit
A receipt shall be given for each deposit. A customer whose receipt has been lost may obtain a duplicate receipt by filing a written claim or by providing the utility with adequate personal identification.
Record of Deposits - Unclaimed Deposits
The utility shall maintain a record of deposits showing: a) the name and address of each depositor; b) the amount and date of the deposit; and , c) each transaction concerning the deposit. The record of each unclaimed deposit shall be maintained for a period of three years from the date service is terminated. During that period, the utility shall make a reasonable effort to return the deposit. Unclaimed deposits, together with any accrued interest, shall be credited to an appropriate utility account. Deposits remaining unclaimed one year after termination of service will be transferred to the state in accordance with Chapter 556, CODE OF IOWA.
Refund of Deposit
A deposit shall be refunded after twelve consecutive months of prompt payment (which may be eleven timely payments and one automatic forgiveness of late payment). For refund purposes, the account shall be reviewed for prompt payment after twelve months of service following the making of the deposit and for each twelve-month interval terminating on the anniversary of the deposit. Upon termination of service, the deposit less any unpaid utility bill of the customer, shall be reimbursed to the customer or other person who made the deposit.
Pay your deposit online
Click here to make a one-time payment towards a deposit.
Need help making the payment call City Hall (712) 943-4244 or follow these simple steps:
1. Click just want to make a payment without registering
2. Complete payment information for whom the payment is for
3. Enter payment method
**Checks are FREE; fee of 3% (+50¢ if under $100) for credit cards**
4. Fill in payment details then continue
5. Confirm information is correct, then submit
Garbage Service
Lost or Damaged Cart - In the event the residential garbage customer loses a cart or is responsible for damage to a cart that is not related to normal use, the City shall collect from the customer $100.00 for the Contractor to provide and deliver a replacement cart.
Payment Due Date
Utility bills are mailed out monthly, the first of every month. Payment is due by the 20th of each month unless the 20th falls on a Saturday, in which case, payment is due on Friday. If the 20th falls on a Sunday, the payment is due the next business day following the 20th.
Pay Utilities Online
We use Payment Service Network to process our online payments. Log on to Payment Service Network and register for an account if you have not done so already. Enter business name as City of Sergeant Bluff. Once registered, you can make a payment using a checking or savings account, debit or credit card. It's simple, fast and easy. Need help? See our instruction form.
***The City of Sergeant Bluff will no longer take credit card payments over the phone, however you can still pay using your credit card in-person or by making your payment through Payment Service Network. If you like to pay over the phone, you can still do so by calling PSN at 1-877-885-7968, be sure to have your Utility account number ready. ***Please note a fee of 3% (+50¢ if under $100) for credit card payments will apply*** Accepting only Visa, Discover, and MasterCard.
You can also register (optional) with Payment Service Network to have your bill paid directly out of your checking account each month. By doing this you can substantially save money over the course of time.
EXAMPLE CREDIT CARD PAYMENT YEARLY COST
HYPOTHETICAL UTILITY BILL: $200.00 per month
CREDIT CARD FEE: $5.50 x 12 months = $66.00
To sign up for Payment Service Network, please visit:
Pay Utilities by Enrolling in Automatic Payment
You have the option to pay your utility service through our automatic payment process. Complete our Automatic Payment Form and return it to City Hall. We may require a "Voided" check. The automatic payment will be taken out the 20th every month. If you would like to enroll in automatic payment for the current month the form must be completed and returned by the 10th day of the month you wish to begin automatic payments.
Late Charges
The resident will be assessed a penalty of $5.00 for water, $5.00 for sewer and 1 1/2% to all services if not paid on or before the 20th. All past due accounts are subject to disconnection after 12 days from the due date. We are NOT responsible for U.S. Delivery. Failure to receive a bill, does not excuse payment. The City Council has passed an ordinance allowing for a $30.00 charge for each time a City staff member must deliver a "red tag" notice to your door. Red tag fees must be paid along with the past due amount to avoid a disconnection of service.
Termination of Service
Prior to terminating services please contact City Hall. You may also submit a Termination of Services Form online by clicking here.
Cancel Automatic Payment
You may cancel your automatic payment withdrawal at any time. Please complete the cancellation form if you wish to cancel.
**PLEASE NOTE** DEPENDING ON WHAT DAY OF THE MONTH YOU CANCEL THE AUTOMATIC PAYMENT, IT MAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN PROCESSED. IF PROCESSED AND THE AUTOMATIC PAYMENT IS RETURNED THERE IS A $30 NSF FEE ASSOCIATED.
Enroll in eBills
Residents may enroll in ebills to receive their bill online instead of receiving a paper statement through the mail. Go to Payment Service Network and join today and opt out of paper bills to save resources!
Download “PSN Payments” from the App Store® or Google Play™
How to Read your Utility Bill
Click here to view some tips we have provided to better understand your utility bill each month.
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT