Billing Questions - Customer Service # 660-646-1664
Connecting Services
Customers will need to bring the following required documents to CMU Utilities Office located at 920 Washington Street to begin services. CMU can provide same-day services if the request is made before 3:00 p.m.
1) Application – An application must be filled out and signed. Click here to view/print the utility application.
2) Deposit – The customer deposit per property address must be paid before services may begin. The deposit will be applied to your final bill when services are disconnected. Any remaining portion will be refunded in the form of a check mailed to the address on record.
| Customer Type | Deposit Amount | Services Provided |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowners | $125.00 | All Services |
| $100.00 | Electric Only | |
| $75.00 | Water Only | |
| $75.00 | Sewer Only |
| Customer Type | Deposit Amount | Services Provided |
|---|---|---|
| Renters | $200.00 | All Services |
| $175.00 | Electric Only | |
| $150.00 | Water Only | |
| $150.00 | Sewer Only |
| Customer Type | Deposit Amount | Services Provided |
|---|---|---|
| Customer with past due balance resulting in a written off account | $350.00 | All Services |
| $250.00 | Electric Only | |
| $200.00 | Water Only | |
| $200.00 | Sewer Only | |
| ***Unpaid past due balance must be paid in full plus a new deposit*** | ||
| Customer Type | Deposit Amount | Services Provided |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial/Industrial | Equal to 2x the previous highest bill of the service address or comparable | |
| Minimum $200.00 | All Services | |
| Minimum $175.00 | Electric Only | |
| Minimum $150.00 | Water Only | |
| Minimum $150.00 | Sewer Only | |
| ***Customers that have a deposit of $500 or more may substitute a cash deposit with letter of credit or surety bond issued by reputable guarantor for equal amount*** | ||
| Customer Type | Deposit Amount | Government Agencies - Federal, State, & Local | No Deposit Due |
|---|
| Customer Type | Deposit Amount | Services Provided |
|---|---|---|
| Landlords (Residential) - Per Property Address | $125.00 | All Services |
| $100.00 | Electric Only | |
| $75.00 | Water Only | |
| $75.00 | Sewer Only | |
| ***Landlords with more than $500.00 deposits may have a letter of credit for the exact amount to cover all required deposits per property address*** | ||
| Customer Type | Deposit Amount | Services Provided |
|---|---|---|
| Landlords (Commercial) - Per Property Address | Equal to 2x the previous highest bill of the service address or comparable | |
| Minimum $200 | All Services | |
| Minimum $175.00 | Electric Only | |
| Minimum $150.00 | Water Only | |
| Minimum $150.00 | Sewer Only | |
| ***Landlords with more than $500.00 in deposits may have a letter of credit for the exact amount to cover all required deposits per property address*** | ||
CMU may reevaluate any and all customer deposit amounts at any time. CMU reserves the right to require a deposit where none was previously required, to require an additional deposit after the initial deposit, or to require another deposit when deemed necessary to secure future payment of bills incurred by a customer.
3) Photo ID – A valid driver’s license or some other state or federal issued identification is required for all customers.
4) Social Security Card – A social security card or another government-issued document showing the social security number in its entirety is required for all customers.
5) Lease Agreement – Renters need a rent receipt, lease agreement, or email from the landlord indicating the property address and everyone expected to be living at that address. This will serve as the property owner’s consent to connect utility services at that location.
6) Closing Documents – Property owners and landlords will need official property closing documentation or property tax receipts to begin services.
Transferring Services
Customers wishing to transfer services to a new location in town will need to complete a new application for the new service address. Customers may transfer their deposit to their new service address if the previous location is left on for less than two weeks. If the previous service address needs to be on for longer than two weeks, a new deposit is required for the new service address. Customers are responsible for their utility bills at their old location. If payment is not received, utilities will be disconnected at the new service address.
Account Transfer Following the Death of an Account Holder
In the event of a spouse’s death, the surviving spouse may request that the utility account be transferred into their name. To complete the transfer, the surviving spouse must present a valid photo ID and Social Security card. CMU will transfer the existing deposit to the surviving spouse’s name.
If another family member (such as a child or relative) wishes to establish service in their name, they must apply as a new customer. The individual will be required to provide all documentation required for new service and pay any applicable deposits.
Account Name Change Due to Roommate or Spouse Moving Out
If a roommate or spouse completes a disconnection order and the remaining resident wishes to continue utility service in their name, the individual must apply for a new account in person and provide all documentation required for a new service and pay any applicable deposits. A new lease agreement is required. A final meter reading will be taken to close the existing account and calculate the final bill through the last date of service. The current account holder’s deposit will be applied to their final balance. CMU reserves the right to establish the read-in date for the new account holder as the last read date for the current account holder.
Disconnecting Services
Disconnection orders need to be signed in person or emailed by the account holder to provide notice of the requested disconnect day as well as provide a forwarding address. The utility deposit will be applied to the final bill. Any remaining amount will be refunded, and a check mailed to the forwarding address provided. CMU can provide same-day services if the request is made before 3:00 p.m. If CMU doesn’t receive a disconnect notice, the services will remain in the account holder’s name, and the account holder is responsible for the utilities used. CMU reserves the right to transfer services to a new tenant, property owner, and/or landlord account if a new application, deposit, identification, and lease/closing documents have been submitted.
Billing Procedures
CMU customers are billed monthly, there are three billing cycles, and the date for your meter reading and billing is determined by where you live.
The automatic meter reading system gathers hourly readings from the meters. The charges for your electric and water consumption are based on these readings. Also included on your bill are charges for wastewater disposal and refuse collection. The wastewater charges are based on your amount of water usage, and the refuse service is a flat monthly fee. Your bill is printed and mailed to the address you have given us. If there is an error in this address, please let us know so that we may get it corrected.
Your bill is due approximately 20 days from the billing date and bills are prorated by the number of days you are serviced. CMU encourages payments to be made at the CMU Office or by depositing it in one of the drop boxes which are located either in the north side parking lot or by the front door of the CMU Office building. You also have the option to do a credit/debit card or e-check payment through Online Bill Pay accessible on the CMU homepage. If you would like to have your bill automatically debited from your bank account each month, please complete the ACH Bank form at the CMU Utilities Office. Customers may also mail payment to PO BOX 140, Chillicothe, MO 64601, but due to ongoing reliability issues, we advise customers to use alternative methods whenever possible. Any customer that has not been delinquent on a payment in the past 12 months shall be eligible for one late fee removal per year due to the post office, if the payment was postmarked prior to due date.
After twenty (20) days a late fee is charged to any outstanding balance, and a delinquent notice is mailed to the address on file. The delinquent notice states services will be subject to disconnection if payment is not received at CMU’s OFFICE by 4 p.m. on the due date shown on the delinquent notice. The delinquent notice serves as your disconnect notice. No other means of notification will be sent prior to disconnection for non-payment. Services disconnected for nonpayment will be restored upon payment of past due amount including late fee plus a reconnection charge. The charge for reconnection will be $25.00 if the reconnection is made during regular business hours Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and $50.00 if the reconnection is made after hours Monday – Friday between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. A reconnection request after 8:00 p.m. will be completed on the next business day during regular business hours. No reconnections will occur on a Saturday, Sunday, or an observed holiday.
CMU sewer customers that are past due and served by a rural water district may be subject to water disconnection by their rural water district until the outstanding balance due to CMU is paid in full.
Insufficient Funds Check
There is a $25 service charge on all returned checks, web payments, and ACH payments. CMU will notify the customer of a returned check by hanging a tag on the door. The returned check amount and fee need to be paid by cash or money order by 10:00 a.m. the following morning. If not paid, services will be disconnected, and reconnection will be subject to payment of any past-due balances on the account along with the reconnection fee.
Illegal Use of Service
Use of unmetered services or tampering with meters by unauthorized personnel is illegal and will be prosecuted.
Right of Access
To provide the best possible utility service to our customers, CMU requires access to your premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of:
- Reading Meters
- Examining, testing, and changing or moving any CMU equipment
- Making a connected load count
- Measuring the customer’s maximum demand
- Turning on, off, or disconnecting a service or meter
- Inspecting for cross-connections
Casey Johnson
Operations Manager
Hattie Morey
Finance Director