DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT
The Utility Billing Department operates under the direction of the Finance Department and its primary function is to provide the citizens of Pearsall with prompt and courteous customer service while maintaining an accurate and efficient utilities billing and collection system. The Utility Billing department provides water and sewer customer service to the citizens of Pearsall, and prepares monthly bills and makes collections. It addition to overseeing the monthly reading of customer utility meters, preparing monthly billing statements, and conducting daily collections, it also provides the billing and collection for solid waste collection service on behalf of Texas Disposal Systems. Other services provided by this department include, but are not limited to the operation and maintenance of a Call Center especially designed to more efficiently handle customer calls and reports. It creates work orders in our integrated Call Center system that will be handled by utility service personnel.
Services Provided
- Combined monthly bill for water, sewer, and garbage services
- Drive-thru Window at City Hall
- Automatic bank draft payment option
- Credit card payment option (COMING SOON)
- Voluntary donation program
- Payment drop box at City Hall Drive-thru
Water Service Information
Customers who wish to start, stop, or transfer water service should contact the Utility Billing Department during normal business hours. To establish new service, customers may come to City Hall at 215 S. Ash Street to complete an application and pay the security deposit, or they can request requisite forms, complete them, and mail them together with the security deposit to City of Pearsall, Attn: Utility Billing Department, 215 S. Ash Street, Pearsall, Texas 78061. Customers transferring or stopping their service within the City limits of Pearsall may do so by telephone or by visiting our office in person. If you are transferring water service within the City, you may be able to have your deposit transferred also. Security deposits will be applied to the balance on your final bill.
In the event of any service needs, customers are advised to notify the Utility Billing Department a few days in advance. It is also important to provide a forwarding address in order that a final bill or refund can be promptly delivered.
Service Disruption
If your water, gas, and garbage service has been suddenly interrupted and you do not know the cause, please call the Utility Billing Department at 830-334-3676. If you have water service problems after hours due to an emergency situation, call 830-334-3311
When water service has been discontinued for non-payment of a bill, the full amount of the bill plus a $20.00 reconnection fee must be paid before service is reinstated.
Customers should contact the Utility Billing Department to report water leaks, sewer back-ups, or water quality problems. Please call 830-334-3676.
Utility Rates
Utility rates are established by City Council Ordinance. The water source is the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer, a high quality aquifer that has no restrictions on water pumping. The current utility rates are as follow:
City Water Rates:
Residential
| First 4,000 Gals | Minimum $18.00 |
| Next 7,000 Gals | 1.15/thousand |
| Next 10,000 Gals | 1.25/thousand |
| Above 21,000 Gals | 1.35/thousand |
Senior Citizens
| First 1,000 Gals | Minimum $11.00 |
| Next 3,000 Gals | 1.15/thousand |
| Next 5,000 Gals | 1.25/thousand |
| Above 9,000 Gals | 1.35/thousand |
Commercial
Commercial water rates vary based on the size of the meter installed at a customer location. Contact the City of Pearsall for commercial water and sewer services at 830-334-3676.
| First 4,000 Gals | Minimum $20.00 |
| Next 7,000 Gals | 1.20/thousand |
| Next 10,000 Gals | 1.30/thousand |
| Above 21,000 Gals | 1.40/thousand |
City Sewer Rates:
Residential
| First 6,000 Gals | Minimum $9.00 |
| Next 10,000 Gals | .35/thousand |
| Next 15,000 Gals | .40/thousand |
| Above 31,000 Gals | .45/thousand |
Commercial
Commercial sewer rates vary based on the size of the water meter installed at a customer location. Contact the City of Pearsall for commercial water and sewer services at 830-334-3676.
City Gas Rates:
Natural gas utility rates are set monthly according to market price. Natural gas prices typically follow a cyclical pattern, with higher prices in winter due to increased consumption in the cold weather months. Prices fall over the summer months due to milder weather. The following are a sample of gas rates at a given point in 2008.
Residential and Commercial
| First 1,000 Cubic Ft. | Minimum $15.49 |
| Next 3,000 Cubic Ft. | 4.84/thousand |
| Next 5,000 Cubic Ft. | 4.49/thousand |
| Above 9,000 Cubic Ft. | 4.07/thousand |
Senior Citizens
| First 1,000 Cubic Ft. | Minimum $8.49 |
| Next 3,000 Cubic Ft. | 4.84/thousand |
| Next 5,000 Cubic Ft. | 4.49/thousand |
| Above 9,000 Cubic Ft. | 4.07/thousand |
Residential Garbage Rates
The City of Pearsall contracts its solid waste removal to a private company. Commercial and Residential garbage is collected on a weekly basis year-round. Residential homes are supplied with 55-gallon carts for collection of their household and yard waste. Commercial customers are provided with bins of varying sizes to meet their required needs.
ACI Recyling and Disposal, Inc. currently provides solid waste (garbage) collection services. This service is mandatory for all residents and billed on your monthly utility bill.
The current residential solid waste (garbage) monthly rate inside the city limits is $19.86, not including sales tax. Commercial based garbage rates are based on the size of the container. Please call City Hall for additional information or service at (830) 334-3676
Payment Options
Customers are billed monthly for water, sewer, gas, and garbage services. Payment is due no later than ten days from the billing date. After the 17th day, a penalty will be assessed on the balance. If payment still has not been received within approximately 25 days after the billing date, your service will be disconnected. Additionally, there will be a reconnect fee to have your service reinstated. To avoid service being disconnected and being assessed the reconnect fee, customers unable to pay their bill in full by the due date should contact the Utility Billing Department to make payment arrangements. Payment arrangements are done on a case-by-case basis. Customers must complete and sign a payment arrangement agreement.
Electronic Bank Drafting Service
In an effort to provide better service, the City offers electronic bank drafting service for monthly water bill payments. This can be arranged with almost any financial institution at no additional cost.
Customers selecting this payment option will receive a monthly bill stating “Amount Due will be Bank Drafted – DO NOT PAY.” Your bank will then deduct the water bill amount approximately two or three days prior to the due date printed on the bill and forward your payment to the City.
There is no charge for this bank draft plan and service may be discontinued at any time by simply notifying the City in writing.
To establish this service, please contact Utility Billing Department.
Credit Card Payment by Telephone Service
COMING SOON!
Voluntary Donations
The City of Pearsall has established a voluntary donation program that is payable with your monthly water bill. The program is strictly voluntary and allows a total contribution of $2.00 per month to be utilized for the Library, Parks, Economic Development and Fire Department services only.
The Library will use funds for capital improvements with emphasis on purchasing of books, records, cassettes, video cassettes, additional furnishings, and automation of library operations. The Parks Department will receive funds for capital improvements with emphasis on upkeep of parks, ball fields, tennis courts, and playground equipment. Funds will also be used for Economic Development to assist in locating and attracting new businesses to the City of Pearsall. The Fire Department will use funds for general support with emphasis on the Volunteer Training Program and supplemental supplies, specialized equipment, and continuing education and training. All contributions are tax deductible.
Hours and Payment Location
The City of Pearsall Utility Billing Department is located 215 S. Ash Street, Pearsall, Texas. Normal office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. For customers’ convenience, a drop box located at City Hall’s drive-thru is available for utility payments.
For more information, please contact Anita Vasquez, Utility Billing Supervisor.
Other Utilities Service Information;
Garbage
For missed garbage pickups or damaged cart replacement – Call City of Pearsall Utility Billing Department at 830-334-3676.
Utilities Contact Information
Pearsall Service Center
(830) 334-3646
(830) 334-3676
Water and Wastewater Superintendent
Conrad Banda
cbanda@cityofpearsall.org
(830) 317-7073
Gas Superintendent
Rudy Carrizales
rcarrizales@cityofpearsall.org
(830) 317-7074
Supervisor
John Mendez
jmendez@cityofpearsall.org
Telephone – AT&T
AT&T Service Online
Electricity -
You may choose from a number of power service companies from a list on the internet at: http://www.powertochoose.com
Cable – Time-Warner Cable
Customer Service 1-888-955-2220