The City of Jefferson is looking to make a change to the deposit amount for new utility accounts.

City Administrator Mike Palmer says they are wanting to increase the deposit amount for any new utility accounts from $100 to $150. Palmer adds that the change just makes sense.

“What we’ve found is since the utilities have been going up steadily over the years, the deposit isn’t adequate enough to cover if someone doesn’t pay their bill or leaves town. Not that the 150 is always enough to cover it, but at least it makes a pretty good dent in it.”

Palmer notes that the change is only for new accounts and he adds that if someone pays their bill on time for an entire year, the property owner will get their deposit back.

The change in the City’s ordinance requires three readings by the City Council. The Council’s next meeting on Tuesday will be the third and final reading.