Utility Billing

The City of Elko New Market provides water, sanitary sewer, storm water, and streetlight/warning siren services to residents and businesses.  These services are billed to residents on a monthly basis.  Any residents not connected to city water & sewer services are billed on an annual basis for storm water and streetlight/warning siren services.

Utility billing accounts that become delinquent are subject to 10% penalty fees.  All delinquent accounts are certified to Scott County for collection with the property taxes.

MOVING IN?
New residents that need to arrange service should complete the Set-Up New Utility Service Account Online Form.  New residents can find contact information for other service providers on the New Resident Information web page.

MOVING OUT?
Customers moving out of the City should complete the Cancel Utility Service Account Online Form.  Please keep in mind that utility billings are always one month behind as the City performs the monthly meter reads on or about the 1st of the month and then bills for the previous month usage.

OTHER CHANGES?
Any current customers that need to change any information on their utility bill, such as name, phone/cell number, email address, or mailing address, should complete the Change Information in Utility Billing System Online Form.

PURPOSE:

In order to minimize the impact of the water and sewer utility fees on senior citizens within the City, the City will provide a 50% discount on water and sewer utility base fees.

PROGRAM:

1. Eligibility Requirements. Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
   a. The Applicant must be 62 years or older.
   b. The Applicant must own the residential premises subject to the utility fees.
   c. The residential premises must be the Applicant’s primary place of residence.
   d. The Applicant’s property taxes must be current.
   e. All City utility bills for the relevant property must be current, including water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer.
2. Utility Fees. Eligible applicants shall receive a 50% discount on water and sewer base fees for their residential premises.
3. Application. In order to receive the discount, Applicants must complete the Senior Utility Discount Application Form and provide a copy of their driver’s license or other Minnesota state issued ID showing the primary address and submit it in person at Elko New Market City Hall located at 601 Main Street, Elko New Market, MN 55054 or by mail to City of Elko New Market, Utility Billing Department, PO Box 99, Elko New Market, MN 55020. The address on the identification must match the utility account service address.
4. Removal from Program. An Applicant will be removed from the Program if the Applicant no longer meets the eligibility requirements or is delinquent in payment of City utility bills or property taxes for a period of 90 days.

The City of Elko New Market has a sewer averaging policy in place using the months of December, January and February.  The water usages of these three months create a sewer average that is used as the "sewer usage" for each monthly utility billing from March through November.

During the summer months, many residents have higher water usages from sprinkling lawns, watering gardens, filling pools, washing cars, etc.  This policy was put in place to save residents from higher sewer charges due to higher water usages. 

New residents moving into Elko New Market are billed using a sewer average of 4000 gallons until the next averaging period where they will create their own sewer average.

If any resident experiences a leak in the home or unintentional water use during the averaging period, please complete the Request Sewer Average Adjustment Online Form. Please note: once this form is received, City staff will review the request and a determination will be made.

PURPOSE:
To establish a policy for staff to make administrative adjustment to utility accounts and provide relief to utility customers who are in good standing in the event that they have excessive water usage resulting from unintentional use or leaking fixture.

ELIGIBILITY:
The following criteria must be met in order for the account to be eligible for an adjustment under the provisions of this policy:

• All utility accounts for properties owned by the same individual or entity within the City are current at the time of the request for adjustment; and
• All accounts for properties owned by the same individual or entity within the City have been current for the twelve months prior to the month requested to be adjusted; and
• The City has not certified property tax assessment for delinquencies on the account to be adjusted and any accounts for other properties within the City owned by the same individual or entity within the last three years; and
• If the property owner has owned the property or other properties in the City for less than twelve months for purposes of determining account currency or three years for evaluating past tax assessments for delinquencies, the determination of “good standing” will be made based on the time period the property has been owned; and
• The usage in the month to be adjusted must be in excess of 20,000 gallons and at least 100% greater than the highest usage month in the previous twelve months.

RELIEF:

• The adjustment will be only for up to two months of usage; and
• The cost of usage in excess of 10,000 gallons shall be reduced to the amount applied to usage between 0 and 10,000 gallons;
• Such relief will only be provided to a property owner once every 36 months, provided the eligibility criteria can be met at that time.

To request relief under the Unintentional Use Policy, please fill out the Request Unintentional Water Use Adjustment Online Form. Please note: Once this form is received, City staff will review the request and a determination will be made.

• Check faucets and pipes for leaks:  A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons.

• Check your toilets for leaks:  Put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately.

• Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks:  Read the house water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used.  If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.

• Install water-saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators.

• Take shorter showers:  One way to cut down on water use is to turn off the shower after soaping up, then turn it back on to rinse.  A four-minute shower uses approximately 20 to 40 gallons of water.

• Use your dishwasher and clothes washer for only full loads:  Automatic dishwashers and clothes washers should be fully loaded for optimum water conservation.
  
  

IN THE YARD & GARDEN:

• Plant drought-resistant lawns, shrubs and plants:  Many beautiful shrubs and plants thrive with far less watering than other species.

• Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants:  Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth.

• Water your lawn only when it needs it:  A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass.  If it springs back up when you move, it doesn't need water. If it stays flat, the lawn is ready for watering. Letting the grass grow taller (to 3") will also promote water retention in the soil.

1. Exception: The watering of new seed or sod for a period of two (2) weeks from the date of seeding or sodding shall be excepted from the odd/even water use restrictions, but not the restriction on hours of sprinkling or irrigation.  This exception for seeded or sodded areas shall not apply to previously established areas of the same lot.

EMERGENCY RESTRICTIONS:

Whenever the city council determines it in the public interest, the city council may, by resolution, further limit the use, times and hours during which water may be used from the city water supply system by giving notice by publication or by posting in the city hall and at such public places as the city council may direct.