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· The City of Comanche has not received a single bill for its street lighting accounts for <br /> the entire year. <br /> <br /> Even in situations where a city elected not to switch providers, it was not immune to the <br />missing and inaccurate billings that have frustrated so many other customers. Sulphur Springs <br />remained with its incumbent provider. Nevertheless, starting in January 2002, the City failed to <br />receive regular monthly billings and was often billed for two to three months of usage in one bill. <br /> <br /> The problems have been aRributed to faulty service transfers through ERCOT, incorrectly <br />determined and applied tariffs, and incorrect billings. Regardless of the reason, Cities have been <br />forced for the first time to allocate significant time and resources to audit utility bills to ensure <br />that accounts are not double-billed and that usage is accurately represented. <br /> <br />Improper Readings and Rate Charges Were Applied to Hundreds of City <br />Accounts. <br /> <br /> CAPP and STAP cities also noted several instances where the T&D utility applied <br />improper charges. CAPP and STAP consultants identified more than 810 questionable accounts <br />and found incorrect T&D rate assignments, improper meter readings, and improper demand <br />readings. Problems related by CAPP and STAP cities include: <br /> <br /> · The City of Allen discovered an incorrect demand charge on a Park Lighting account <br /> that resulted in a total bill that was more than ten furies the expected billing. <br /> <br /> · The City of Denison recovered an overcharge of $38,000 for one account and awaits <br /> correct readings on other questionable accounts. <br /> <br /> · Because Oncor assigned the wrong rate schedule to four street lighting accounts, the <br /> City of Arlington was overbilled $1.3 million. <br /> <br /> While CAPP and STAP cities benefited from qualified consultants that were able to <br />dedicate sufficient time and attention to discovering the erroneous billings, most small and <br />medium sized cities do not have the specialized staff necessary to locate and challenge inaccurate <br />billings across city accounts. <br /> <br />1813\00~nac~nmo030113~ng 6 <br /> <br /> <br />