As an expert in public services with the City of Austin, I am often asked about what exactly is covered by the city's utilities. It's a common question, as many residents want to know what they are paying for and what services they can expect to receive. So, let me break it down for you. Your bill includes utility charges for the City of Austin. Depending on where you live, this may include charges for drainage, electricity, solid waste, utility, wastewater, and water.
The City of Austin provides public services to residents of Austin and some surrounding areas. But what exactly does that mean? Well, depending on where you live, you could receive one or more public services from the city of Austin. The Texas Local Government Code (TLGC), Chapter 212, Municipal Subdivision and Real Estate Development Regulations, prohibits the connection of public utilities to any parcel of land that is not legally sown or exempt from the municipality's planting requirements. This means that in order to receive these services, your property must be legally connected to the city's utilities. While most of Texas is now unregulated when it comes to electric service, the Austin metropolitan area is one of the few markets that remains regulated. This means that the city has control over the rates and services provided by electric companies in the area.
However, there is currently a bill in progress that would deregulate the Austin market. This bill has not yet been approved in the Senate and would have to be approved by the House of Representatives and the governor before entering into force. If an exception is allowed, land status determination is requested through the City of Austin and, once issued, that date is used as the determining date for the applicable rate list. This means that if your property is granted an exception, the date of that exception will be used to determine the rates you are charged for utilities. However, Austin Energy offers ways for energy efficient customers to get rebates and save on their bills.
This is just one way that the city is working to make utilities more affordable for its residents. Another way that the city keeps utility rates lower for taxpayers is through impact rates. These rates help Austin Water keep water and wastewater service rates lower, as they allow growth to pay off on its own. This means that new developments and construction projects are responsible for covering the costs of expanding and maintaining the city's water and wastewater systems. But what about deposits? Many utility companies require customers to pay a deposit when setting up service. However, the City of Austin offers deposit exemptions and even refunds deposits with interest under certain conditions.
This is just another way that the city is working to make utilities more affordable for its residents. If you're moving outside of the Austin metropolitan area, you may have more options when it comes to choosing your electricity provider. The City of Austin's current water and wastewater impact rates per service unit are presented in the tables below. These rates may vary depending on where you live, so be sure to check with your specific utility provider for accurate information. The Multifamily Partnership Program (MPP) provides for the automatic transfer of public services from vacant rents to the owner's name. This means that if you own a rental property in Austin, you can easily transfer utility services to your name when a tenant moves out, without any interruption in service. The service details section of your bill describes a detailed breakdown of the costs of electricity, water and wastewater services and the rates that apply to your City of Austin utility bill.
This is a helpful resource for understanding exactly what you are being charged for and how much you are paying for each service. One important thing to keep in mind is that the Austin area frequently experiences droughts and therefore has water use restrictions. This means that there are rules in place for watering your yard or washing your car, and penalties may be imposed if these rules are not followed. So, make sure you know the rules before using water, as it can affect your utility bill.
