Morton Public Utilities
The City of Morton works with several different companies to contract public utilities for citizens.
City Water
Within city limits, water is based on rates. After the base rate, it is a gallon rate per thousand. Ownership of the water lines is dependent on the curb stop. The City of Morton owns up to the curb stop. The homeowner is responsible for the remaining water line.
Maintenance Superintendent
Jason Nelson is the city's Maintenance Superintendent. He is responsible for proper and safe operation of the water and sewer departments. Key duties of the Maintenance Superintendent is as follows:
- Maintains all city property and equipment
- Submits all reports as required for the water and sewer department
- Assists contractors with projects
- Repairs and replaces water and sewer lines as required and deemed necessary
- Maintains park facilities and cemetery grounds
- Makes recommendations to administration and city council for repair and replacement of equipment
- Assists in and participates in the budget preparation process
- Plows snow and makes recommendations for repair and maintenance of city streets
Did you know?
Some easy, inexpensive ways to cut your home heating energy costs include weather stripping, caulking, and sealing areas where cold air can enter and heat can escape. Lowering the setting on your thermostat overnight and while no one is home is also fairly effective.
Sewer charges within the city limits are based on rates.
Waste management is charged on the City Bill monthly. R & E Sanitation picks up every Tuesday for residents within city limits. The cost per can is $12. Recycling is picked up every other Tuesday and included with the cost.
If you are not signed up for this waste management service, call the City Hall today. If you are looking for additional waste management services, please contact R & E Sanitation at 507-697-6413.
Electrical is provided through Xcel Energy throughout the City of Morton. Questions regarding power can be directed to Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-4999.
There is no natural gas available for the City of Morton. Propane and fuel oil do not have a city requirement on which company is utilized. Listed below are local companies available for these services:
- Central Region Cooperative: 320-833-3009
- Farmward Cooperative: 320-329-8377
- Meadowland Farmers Cooperative: 507-342-5137 (Propane), 507-637-2771 (Fuel Oil)
- Sheehan Gas Company: 320-365-4400
Billing and Disconnection Notices
As a reminder, water and waste management are billed on your city bill. Meters are read around the 25th of each month. This billing is completed around the first of each month with a payment due by the 20th of that month. Late fees (10%) are posted on the 21st. Auto payment options are available to residents who desire this feature.
For instance, water used in January, billed at the end of January, due by February 20 and considered late by February 21. Past due at the end of February will be disconnected in March following the council meeting.
Any accounts with a balance due will also be sent a disconnect notice along with the regular bills on the second to last business day of the month with a fee added for the additional notice.
Cold Weather Rule: Water service disconnections for residential users will be done pursuant to M.S. 2168.097. You must notify City Hall immediately if water disconnection affects your primary heat source (effective from October 15 - April 15).
Any account that remains disconnected and past due will be notified that the amount due will be certified to the Renville County Auditor/Treasurer and assessed to the owner’s property taxes. The delinquent utility assessments will be certified quarterly, as needed. The water will not be reconnected until the entire past due balance is paid in full (including amounts set for assessment) plus a reconnection fee ($100 as of 2023).
Cold Weather Protection
Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule (CWR) is a state law that protects residential utility customers from having service shut off between October 1 and April 30.
Customers may qualify for this protection if they meet ALL of the following conditions:
- Water must be the primary heat source.
- The customer has completed the Application for Protection Form provided by the City.
- The household income is less than 50% of the state median income level. (Customers receiving any form of public assistance are deemed to have qualified for inability to pay status)
- The customer enters into & makes timely payments on a mutually acceptable payment plan. If you choose not to assert your rights or not enter a mutually acceptable payment plan, your water service may be disconnected.
You can set up a CWR payment plan any time during the CWR season.
You are eligible for CWR protection even if you rent (the utility account must be in your name).
| Household Size | Annual Income | 3 Month Max. Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $36,687 | $9,171 |
| 2 | $47,975 | $11,993 |
| 3 | $59,263 | $14,815 |
| 4 | $ 70,552 | $17,638 |
| 5 | $81,840 | $20,460 |
| 6 | $93,128 | $23,282 |
| 7 | $95,245 | $23,811 |
| 8 | $97,362 | $24,340 |
| 9 | $99,478 | $24,869 |
| 10 | $101,595 | $25,398 |
Payment Agreements
If your household income is:
- At or below 50% of the state median income, you are not required to pay more than 10% of your monthly household income.
- More than 50% of the state median income, you may make a payment plan.
Where can you receive financial assistance?
If you need help paying your electric utility bills, you may qualify for state or federal fuel assistance. For complete qualifications and application information, contact your local county welfare or Community/Citizen's Action Council (CAC). These organizations may also provide budget counseling.
List of local assistance providers:
Renville County Human Services
105 S 5th Street, Suite 203h
Olivia, MN 56277
320-523-2202
United Community Action Partnership
1635 W Lincoln Ave, Suite 3 & 6
Olivia, MN 56277
320-523-1842
Salvation Army Heat Share Program
521 4th Street SW
Willmar, MN 56201
888-220-4860
Notice of Residential Customer Rights and Responsibilities
The Minnesota Legislature and Public Utilities Commission have issued the Cold Weather Rule. Under the terms of the Cold Weather Rule, a utility must go through certain steps before disconnecting a customer's service. The rule applies from October 1 through April 30.
The purpose of this notice is to inform you of your rights and responsibilities under the Cold Weather Rule. These rights and responsibilities are designed to help you with winter utility bills. You must act PROMPTLY! If you choose not to assert your rights or choose not to enter into a mutually acceptable payment schedule, your service maybe disconnected.
Specifically, the Cold Weather Rule provides you with these options:
The Right to declare your inability to pay your utility bill. If you do so, you must enter into a payment schedule with the utility to maintain your utility service. You have the right to appeal any proposed disconnection to your local utility. You will have to provide the utility proof that you are unable to pay and were current in payments to the utility. If you appeal a disconnection, your service will not be disconnected until the appeal is resolved. Appeals should be submitted in writing to the Morton City Council.
The Responsibility, if you choose to declare Inability to Pay, to complete the "Inability to Pay' form on the other side of this brochure and return it to the utility within IO days. If you provide proof that you are receiving any form of public assistance, you do not need to till out the Inability to Pay Form. If you mail this form or can prove your receipt of public assistance, you must still contact the utility to arrange a payment plan.
The Right to a mutually acceptable payment schedule with the utility. This payment schedule will cover your existing arrears plus the estimated usage during the payment schedule period. If you are unable to pay but still wish to enter into a payment schedule, contact the utility immediately to arrange a schedule. (This payment schedule may be arranged by your designated third party.)
The Responsibility of making payments as agreed or promptly notifying the utility why you cannot keep the agreement. You may then request that the original payment schedule be changed. Any change is subject to the utility's approval.
The Right to request that the utility notify a third party if your service becomes a subject to disconnection. If you have requested third party notification, a copy of this notice has been sent to the third party.
Disputes regarding the previously listed options can be appealed to the Morton City Council. Copies of the Cold Weather Rules are available at your local utility.