February 4, 2012

ť Home ť Customer Service ť Billing Information

Marshall Municipal Utilities bills monthly for utility services. The normal billing period will be as close as practical to 30 day intervals. Bills are processed on the first business day of the month and are due on the 21st day of the month. Bills are based on meter readings, submitted card readings, or on estimated consumption, if necessary.

Payment Methods

Marshall Municipal Utilities accepts payments in the form of cash, checks, cashier's checks, and money orders. Payments can be made by mail or in person at our MMU office, or you can use our drive-up window or night depository located at 113 South 4th Street.

Arrangements can be made to have your bills paid directly through your checking or savings account. Sign up for MMU's Automatic Bank Deduction Plan and have MMU take care of paying your bill for you. You'll save time and the service is FREE. For more information, please contact the MMU office or click here - Auto Bank Authorization Form - to download a sign-up form.

A Budget Billing Plan is available for customers wishing to make uniform monthly payments throughout the year. Budget payments are based on the consumption history of the account for the preceding 12 months. The plan begins each year in July and is reconciled the following June. Customers may sign up for budget billing anytime from June through September of each year. For more information about budget billing, please contact the MMU office or click here - Budget Billing Application Form - to download a sign-up form

Other payment plans may be available to customers who are having difficulty paying their bills, including the acceptance of partial payments and/or delaying payment. Such payment plans will be offered to customers on an individual basis. Payment arrangements must be mutually acceptable to both the customer and MMU.

If a check for payment is returned for insufficient funds or a closed account, a $20 fee will be added to the bill.

Past Due Fees

If payment is received after the due date, a past due fee of 5% is added to the bill and is included in the "Amount Due After Due Date" column of the billing. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the next business day will be allowed for payment without an added past due fee. Exceptions may be made for customers with extenuating circumstances that would prevent them from paying by the due date.

If payment has not been received by the due date, a Notice of Past Due Utility bill will be mailed, or at the discretion of MMU, personally delivered to the customer on or around the 23rd of the month. Said past due notice serves as both a notice of payment due and as a notice of disconnection/limiting of utility services.

If payment in full has not been received, or a mutually acceptable payment plan has not been entered into with Marshall Municipal Utilities by the date printed on the Notice of Past Due Utility Bill, said service may be disconnected on the scheduled date in accordance with MMU's disconnection for nonpayment policy.

If you know you're going to have difficulty paying your utility bills in the winter, or any time, please contact MMU to find out your payment options.

Some local agencies that may be able to provide payment assistance to customers in Marshall are:

Lincoln, Lyon, and Murray Human Services
607 W Main Street
Marshall, MN 56258
(507) 537-6747 or 1(800) 657-3760

Western Community Action
1400 South Saratoga Street
Marshall, MN 56258
(507) 537-1416 or 1(800) 622-5218

The Salvation Army
1 (800) 842-7279

Call MMU at (507) 537-7005 to let us know you are seeking assistance. We will stop any collection procedures while your application for assistance is being processed.

Minnesota Cold Weather Rule

The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule is designed to protect customers who are having difficulty paying their utility bills during the winter season. MMU will not disconnect the utility service of a residential customer during the period between October 15 and April 15 if the customer meets the following criteria:

The disconnection affects the primary heat source for the residential unit.

The customer has declared inability to pay on forms provided by MMU. (Note - Inability to pay forms are not necessary if the customer is already receiving any form of public assistance).

The household income is less than 50% of the state median income level, as documented by the customer to MMU.

The customer's account is current for the billing immediately prior to October 15 or the customer has entered into a payment schedule and is reasonably current with payments under the schedule.

Minnesota Extreme Heat Law

The Minnesota Extreme Heat Law protects customers who are unable to pay their utility bill from being disconnected during an excessive heat watch, heat advisory, or excessive heat warning issued by the National Weather Service.

Deposit/Disconnect Policy

A deposit may be required at the time of application for service if a customer previously had any unpaid balances with Marshall Municipal Utilities that were turned over to our collection agency. The unpaid balance and a deposit of $100.00 will need to be paid in full before services can begin.

A deposit of $100.00 will also be required each time a customer is shut-off for non-payment, including limiters that are placed on meters. If businesses are shut off for non-payment they will be charged twice the amount of an average monthly billing or $100.00; whichever is greater.

The customer is required to pay in full the outstanding bill, the deposit, and all other costs incurred, before MMU will reconnect service.

Upon termination of service, with all bills paid in full, the deposit will be returned to the customer within 45 days. If a consumer deposit is required on your account in accordance with the above criteria, please contact Marshall Municipal Utilities to make arrangements and discuss possible options.

Interest is paid on all deposits held by MMU and the interest rate is determined each year by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The interest rate for 2012 is 0.1%.

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