City of San Marcos Utility Billing Staff Gear Up For College Rush

The City of San Marcos is hiring temporary staff and opening a computer lab to accommodate the annual rush of new residents needing to set up utility accounts in the city before the fall semester begins.

People can expect long lines at the Utility Customer Services Office during “college rush” the last week of July and the first week of August.

To beat the lines, new customers may submit connection requests online at www.sanmarcostx.gov/move-in. To use this online service, customers should have ready:

• Requested business date of connection (Requests submitted after 4 p.m. will be processed the next business day)
• State ID or driver’s license number
• Phone number
• Social Security Number
• Note: Required deposits must be paid in full. Payment may be made with Visa, MasterCard or Discover card

To set up a new service in person, bring a photo ID to either the Municipal Building (behind City Hall) at 630 E. Hopkins or to San Marcos Electric Utility, 1040 Highway 123 (Seguin Highway). Be ready to fill out a connection request form, pay appropriate fees and deposits—and expect long lines during the “college rush.”

A $40 fee is required for each metered service being requested (a total of $80 if both water and electric service are requested), as well as a deposit based on electric usage history of the property or, for brand new homes, square footage. Flat rate deposits are also required for water, wastewater and solid waste if provided at a particular address.

Deposits can be waived if a letter of credit from a like utility is provided. Deposits are also waived for honorably discharged U.S. military veterans and for active duty service members. To qualify, customers must provide copies of their DD 214 or military ID.

Deposits are also waived if the customer had previous utility service with the City of San Marcos for at least 12 months with excellent payment history.

Every year during the rush, City utility metering personnel set up more than 7,000 new utility connections. Many of these connections are set up remotely using the city’s advanced metering infrastructure, whereas in the past metering staff would have to go to each electric and water meter and physically make the new connection.

“AMI saves staff time and speeds the connection process, especially during busy times of the year such as college rush,” said Utilities Metering Manager Angela Riley.

For more information, contact the City of San Marcos Utility Customer Services Office at 512.393.8383.