Once Again it is Time to Begin Preparing for Winter
Disconnect Procedural Policy
Pursuant to Chapter 70 Article 16 of Nebraska Revised Statutes
1. All bills are due and payable the day they are mailed from our business office.
2. Payment at net is allowed if paid by the due date shown on the bill. After that date the bill is delinquent and payable at the gross amount.
3. A reminder notice will be given by mail after the due date.
4. If the past due amount is not paid within six (6) days of the date of the reminder notice a disconnect notice will be sent by first class mail. Subscriber will be given seven (7) business days to pay the bill or arrange for an installment payment plan. The notice will contain the following information:
a. The reason for proposed disconnection.
b. A statement of intention to disconnect unless payment has been made by date shown on the disconnect notice.
5. In case of inquiry or complaint in regards to disconnect notice, the following applies:
a. Contact the Office Manager, Assistant Office Manager or other designated staff at 100 Central Avenue, Nebraska City, Nebraska, phone number (402) 873-3353 during normal business hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday excluding holidays. After hours arrangements may be left as a voice message provided a phone number is also included for utility staff to return the call.
b. A subscriber shall have the right to request a conference, regarding a dispute over the disconnection, prior to the disconnect date.
c. No disconnect shall be made prior to the requested conference being held.
d. Upon such written request for a conference being given to the designated utility employee, he/she shall set the time and date within fourteen (14) days of the date of the request. The utility shall notify the subscriber in writing of the time and date. This conference shall be informal and not governed by the Nebraska Rules of Evidence. Failure by the subscriber to attend such conference shall relieve the utility of any further action prior to the disconnection of service. The subscriber may, prior to the scheduled conference, give good and sufficient reason that they will be unable to attend the conference at the appointed time and date. The utility shall make a reasonable effort to reschedule the conference.
e. Based solely on the evidence presented, the employee of this utility shall make and render such decision as he/she shall deem fit. Disconnection of the service shall be the last resort after all other remedies are exhausted.
f. Any decision made as a result of the conference may be appealed to the Office Manager of the Nebraska City Utilities. The procedure of such appeal is on file in this office and upon request will be given to the subscriber.
g. At such appeal hearing you may be represented by legal counsel or other spokesperson. Files and records pertaining to this dispute may be examined and copied at least three (3) or more days before the scheduled hearing. Witnesses may present evidence. Other witnesses may be cross-examined and confronted. A record of the proceedings may be made at the subscriber’s expense.
h. When an appeal has been filed, this office shall set and notify the subscriber of the time and place. This appeal shall follow the set procedures.
i. The disconnect may be postponed by filing with our office, within five (5) days after receipt of the disconnect notice, a duly licensed physician’s, physician’s assistant’s or an advanced practice registered nurse’s certificate certifying someone in the household has an existing illness or handicap that would suffer an immediate and serious health hazard if the disconnect is made. A thirty (30) day postponement will be granted, one time only, from the date of filing that certificate.
j. THERE WILL BE A SERVICE CHARGE OF $35.00 WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF NEBRASKA CITY, NEBRASKA, AND $45.00 OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS OF NEBRASKA CITY, NEBRASKA, PLUS PAYMENT IN FULL OR OTHER ARRANGEMENTS MADE AFTER ANY DISCONNECT OR SERVICE TRIP MADE BECAUSE OF A DELINQUENT BILL. AFTER NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS, THE SERVICE CHARGE WILL BE $45.00 WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF NEBRASKA CITY, NEBRASKA, AND $65.00 OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS OF NEBRASKA CITY, NEBRASKA. FULL PAYMENT MUST BE MADE BY CASH OR MONEY ORDER BEFORE SERVICE WILL BE RECONNECTED AFTER NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
k. Interruptions or disconnections made necessary for repairs, maintenance, health and safety reasons do not apply to this act.
6. Any subscriber who has previously been identified as a welfare recipient to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services shall receive such disconnect notice by Certified Mail and notice of such proposed termination shall be given to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
a. Domestic subscribers who are welfare recipients or other subscribers may qualify for assistance in payment of their utility bill and should contact the Department of Health and Human Services in that regard.
7. Domestic subscribers may arrange with the utility for an installment payment plan.
a. If an installment payment plan has been agreed upon, failure to comply with this payment plan may result in immediate disconnection of service.
8. DEPOSITS WILL BE REQUIRED IF SERVICE IS DISCONNECTED OR IF A SERVICE TRIP IS MADE BECAUSE OF A DELINQUENT BILLING WITH NEBRASKA CITY UTILITES. THE AMOUNT OF THIS DEPOSIT WILL BE TWO TIMES THE HIGHEST MONTHLY BILLING AMOUNT IN THE CUSTOMER’S PRIOR TWELVE (12) MONTHS BILLING HISTORY.
Planting Trees Makes A Difference And Impacts Us All
For the past several years we have partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to offer Energy Saving Trees to our customers. Since 2013 customers have planted 598 trees. The projected impact of planting these trees benefits us all.
Thank you to all the customers who have participated in this program. We look forward to continuing this partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation thru the years to come.
If you missed getting your free trees thru this years spring program, you can still participate in our tree rebate program. Planting the right tree in the right place can save you energy and you can be reimbursed half the cost of one“Energy Saving Tree”. (up to $100)
Level Payment Plan Overview
The level payment plan is a way for Nebraska City Utilities’ (NCU) customers to pay the same amount each month regardless of the current billing for the individual customer. This plan allows the customer to budget the same amount each month for utilities for a twelve (12) month period. NCU will use the previous twelve (12) month’s billing information and use that total divided by twelve (12) to determine the monthly level payment amount for the next year. See below for guidelines to participate in this program. If you are interested in the level payment plan please contact our business office at (402) 873-3353 or use our online form to have an application sent to you.
Level Payment Plan Guidelines
- Customer needs to be current.
- Take yearly estimate divide by 12. Roll credit or balance owing into calculation. No refunds or requirement to pay off balance if deficit occurs from low estimate.
- No late charges, No interest paid.
- Customer needs a 12-month history in existing residence.
- Customer may be late once in a 12 month level pay year. Payment must be paid by the final notice date or the customer will be dropped from plan.
- Available to residential customers only.
- New program year begins in May.
- Option to adjust monthly payment amount if price changes dramatically.
Example of budget calculation
Amount Billed
May-00 – $98.99
Jun-00 – $108.03
Jul-00 – $112.22
Aug-00 – $137.27
Sep-00 – $143.59
Oct-00 – $109.83
Nov-00 – $102.31
Dec-00 – $176.90
Jan-01 – $200.57
Feb-01 – $169.06
Mar-01 – $153.80
Apr-01 – $113.53
Total = $1626.10
Divide by 12
Monthly Level Pay = $136.00
Addressing COVID 19 Concerns with Caution
Update as of 3/30/2020
While our lobby may be closed we are still here working to provide you the best possible service at the lowest possible cost. If you are in need to talk to someone about making payment arrangements please call our business office Mon – Fri between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm. If you need further assistance DHHS has asked us to remind our customers that due to the impact of COVID-19, they are anticipating a possible increase in the number of households experiencing a crisis situation. They are utilizing specific guide lines to determine additional assistance for eligible households. If you are in need of this assistance please contact DHHS at ACCESSNebraska.ne.gov or call them in Omaha @ 402-595-1258 or Lincoln @ 402-323-3900.
Update as of 3/17/2020
In the effort to be proactive and to protect our staff and to keep the utilities up and running we are switching our lobby and warehouse to staff only permitted. Customer payments can be left in our drop box, made on line or by automated phone system. Payments may also be made at American National Bank, Premier Bank and Arbor Bank drive thru windows.
Update as of 3/12/20220
At Nebraska City Utilities, the health and well-being of our customers, associates, and communities is our top priority. We understand the concern and uncertainty you may be experiencing surrounding the corona virus (COVID-19) and are committed to being responsive to the needs of our customers and associates as the situation evolves.
Continue reading “Addressing COVID 19 Concerns with Caution”Bennet Outage Update
The outage from Friday night (Jan 10, 2020) in the Bennet area was a short notice scheduled outage. We apologize for the inconvenience but are thankful for a customer’s call that had us looking into a concern that led us in finding the fuse protection equipment was failing. In order for our crews to safely replace it the power outage to be scheduled. It was necessary to allow our crews to replace the fuse protection equipment right away to prevent a future unscheduled long-term outage and additional damages.
Crews were able to replace the equipment and restore the power in less than 30 minutes. We are continually working to improve the stability of the power source in this area and appreciate your patience as we strive to provide the best possible service at the lowest possible cost.
While some power outages are unexpected due to accidents, animals, lightning and trees some are due to equipment for maintenance, failure and/or the need to add addition equipment.
We are consistently working to improve the power source by updating and replacing equipment as well as adding varmint guards and pole wraps to deter animals from climbing the poles and causing unexpected outages. Along with adding lightning arresters and conductor guards, we have completed extensive tree trimming from the West side of the Sub Station in Syracuse (which provides the power to Unadilla, Palmyra, Douglas, Bennet and all of the Rural customers along the way.
We welcome customer calls or messages at any time to report outages, submit concerns, ask questions, or to simply gain further understanding. We are not always able to answer the question right away but we strive to respond in a timely manner with the best possible accurate information. You can reach us at service@ncunebcity.com or call our business office at 402-873-3353.
Natural Gas Utility Workers Day
Electric Utility Line Workers Day
Mayor Bryan Bequette proclaims April 8, 2019 Electric Utility Line Workers Day. Jon Griebe and Carl Abbot represented Nebraska City Utilities and recieved the proclomation from Mayor Bequette on behalf of Nebraska City Utilities and all the utility line workers.
Trees can reduce your energy costs by up to 20%.
March 2019 Flooding
At this time we do not have any concern about our city water. The water supply is safe. Our water plant is operating normally. We are able to operate our wells in our well field. There is no concern that we can foresee with the water supply.
If we feel there is a change or a concern, we will provide notification through website and social media.
Our apologies for the quality of the video due to the short notice of needing to address this concern and still wanting to provide reassurance to our customers.