This text of Louisiana § 33:4159.3 (Customer billing; fixed rate; arbitration) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Louisiana primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.
§4159.3. Customer billing; fixed rate; arbitration
A.The board shall present every residential customer with the option of
paying a fixed monthly rate for services. The fixed rate available to a customer shall
be determined by calculating the average monthly cost of the customer's service
based on his recent water meter readings, and the board shall notify each residential
customer of the option for fixed rate billing and the amount that the customer would
pay each month. A customer who selects the fixed rate option shall be billed the
specified monthly amount until an automated meter is installed and operable at his
residence.
B.There is hereby established an arbitration program applicable to customers
who dispute their bills from the board. The program shall function in accordance
with
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§4159.3. Customer billing; fixed rate; arbitration
A. The board shall present every residential customer with the option of
paying a fixed monthly rate for services. The fixed rate available to a customer shall
be determined by calculating the average monthly cost of the customer's service
based on his recent water meter readings, and the board shall notify each residential
customer of the option for fixed rate billing and the amount that the customer would
pay each month. A customer who selects the fixed rate option shall be billed the
specified monthly amount until an automated meter is installed and operable at his
residence.
B. There is hereby established an arbitration program applicable to customers
who dispute their bills from the board. The program shall function in accordance
with the following requirements:
(1) The legislative auditor and the New Orleans inspector general shall,
acting together, appoint two arbiters for each councilmanic district in New Orleans,
subject to confirmation by the city council. One arbiter from each district shall be
appointed to serve on the residential arbitration team, and one arbiter from each
district shall be appointed to serve on the commercial arbitration team.
(2) If a customer disputes a monthly bill or the fixed monthly rate offered
pursuant to Subsection A of this Section, his case shall be referred to the appropriate
arbitration team.
(3) Each arbitration team shall hold regularly scheduled appointment days
at a public facility in each of the councilmanic districts to discuss cases with
particular customers. Each team shall hold at least two appointment days per month
in each councilmanic district. At least one member of the team shall meet with each
customer in a private location at the public facility and shall review the evidence
pertaining to the customer's dispute.
(4) Based on his review and consultation with the other arbiters of his team,
an arbiter shall determine whether the bill amount or the proposed fixed rate amount
is appropriate and, if not, what the appropriate amount or rate is.
(5) If the arbiter determines that the appropriate bill or rate amount is lower
than what has been submitted to the customer, the arbiter shall notify the board, and
the board shall lower the amount or rate to that which the arbiter has determined is
appropriate.
(6) If the customer is dissatisfied with the determination of the arbiter, the
customer may appeal to the city council as otherwise provided by law.
C. For purposes of this Section, "residential customer" refers to a customer
who resides in a single family residence or multifamily residence with four or fewer
units. "Commercial customer" refers to any customer that is not a residential
customer.