Section 280.60  Present Customers

a)         A utility may request a deposit pursuant to Section 280.70 herein from a present residential or present non-residential customer during the first twenty-four months  that the customer receives utility service from the utility if the customer, during any twelve month period, pays late four times if billed monthly, two consecutive times or three times if billed bi-monthly or two times if billed quarterly or semi-annually, or if the customer's wires, pipes, meters or other service equipment have been tampered with and the customer enjoyed the benefit of the tampering.

b)         A utility may request a deposit pursuant to Section 280.70 herein from a present residential customer after the first 24 months that the customer has received utility service if the customer's wires, pipes, meters or other service equipment have been tampered with and the customer enjoyed the benefit of the tampering.

c)         A utility may request a deposit pursuant to Section 280.70 herein from a present non-residential customer after the first twenty-four months that the customer has received utility service if the customer, during any twelve-month period ending after the first twenty-four months of service, pays late six times if billed monthly, three times if billed bi-monthly or two times if billed quarterly or semi-annually, or if the customer's wires, pipes, meters or other service equipment have been tampered with and the customer enjoyed the benefit of the tampering.

d)         A utility requesting a deposit for any of the reasons stated in this Section shall make such request within forty-five days after the event giving rise to the request takes place.  In the event the customer's wires, pipes, meters or other service equipment have been tampered with and the customer enjoyed the benefit of the tampering the request for deposit must be made within forty-five days after the discovery of the tampering.

e)         A present customer whose service is discontinued becomes an applicant for service subject to the provisions of Section 280.50 herein for purposes of reconnection of his/her service.

f)          Present residential customers who are indebted to a utility for past due utility service shall have the opportunity to negotiate a deferred payment agreement pursuant to Section 280.110 herein to retire the debt.  Present non-residential customers who are indebted to a utility for past due utility service may have the opportunity to negotiate a deferred payment agreement pursuant to Section 280.110 herein to retire the debt.