Average Payment plan Frequently Asked Questions

Average Payment Plan ("Equal Pay")

​Q: When is the best time to enroll?
​ A: You can enroll anytime during the year. If it is your first time enrolling and it is the month of July, we highly recommend you wait until August due to the new calculations that are done in July. We also recommend not to start a few months before we recalculate due to the fact that if a customer were to, they would be paying one amount and then having it increase when we recalculate.
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​Q: How do you figure out my monthly payment?
​ A: We total the last 12 months of your utility bill history from your usage and divide that amount by
​12 equal monthly payments. We add a 5% growth factor that gives a buffer for increased usage to safeguard
​against under billing and putting the customer in debt. Whatever the amount, you'll end up paying only for the
​utilities you use. Any overpayment or underpayment will be resolved when we recalculate in July -- this will be applied to your average payment plan billing amount. We will round up to the nearest dollar after the recalculation.
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​Q: What happens if I cancel my enrollment in Equal Pay while remaining a City of Safford customer?
​ A: If you consumed more usage than you've paid for, the total amount will be due on your current "due by"
​date. If you've paid for more consumption than you've used, the credit balance will be applied to your following monthly
​bills.
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​To remain on the program, all bills need to be paid monthly by the "due by" date or you will be subject to removal
​from the program and your service may be subject to disconnection for non-payment, at which time, all unpaid usage
​becomes due and payable.
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​Q: What happens if I am enrolled in Equal Pay and I am no longer a City of Safford customer?
​ A: If you've consumed more usage than you've paid for at the time you disconnect services, you will receive a bill for the amount due. If you've paid for more than you've used, the credit balance will be refunded to you by transferring the credit balance to your current active account or a refund check will be issued.
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​Q: How can I qualify for Equal Pay?
​ A: In order to participate in Equal Pay, you need to have 12 months of bill history at the current property that you wish to enroll.
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