To Pay Or Not To Pay

Mrs. HM is faced with a conundrum. Something that should be so simple, yet requires reflection. Even Farmer H was stumped.

We received the first water bill for our newest flip, Lap House. We bought it March 19. Farmer H went by the city offices to turn on the water, and was told there would be a $150 deposit. Not a problem. The other city where the previous flip houses were located also charged a $150 deposit. After they sold, we've (eventually) gotten that deposit back.

A water bill is usually simple to pay. Your statement has a return stub. You see your meter reading and the itemized charges. Then the amount due, and the due date.

This bill is wonky.

Oh, it seems easy enough. We owe $19.45 for water usage. Then it showed a credit balance. That seems to be the $150 deposit, minus the current charges. I can't show the return stub, because it has a barcode, and our identifying information on it. But it does not show the $19.45. In a space labeled Credit Balance, it shows $130.55-. Then there's a blank to write in Amount Paid.

I assume I should just mail a check for $19.45. OR SHOULD I? Will they just subtract what's due each month until the credit for the deposit is used up? That seems like it would be more of a thing for the FINAL BILL. To take out the current charges, then return the balance. That way, the city has their money, no worries about somebody skipping out on the bill.

The Pony lives in this town. And was no help during my consultation. 

"I pay mine online. I have it automatically deducted. I DO know the city recently updated their billing software. Mine even looks different online now. Let me look it up. I don't have any credit balance on mine. I don't remember if I ever paid a deposit to get started. Dad might have done that the month I moved in, getting the water turned on at the last minute, after he'd re-done the plumbing."

I don't remember paying a deposit there. I think when Hick called me after turning on the water at Lap House, he was kind of mad about paying a deposit. Which must mean he didn't have to pay one before.

The Pony thinks since it only says I have a credit on the return stub, that I don't need to pay it until after the deposit is used up. I think I should pay it each month as it's due, and it will continue to have the $150 deposit credit on our account. Otherwise, on the month it runs out of the deposit money, it will look like we're in arrears on our payment. The city might cut service, and charge another deposit or fee to turn on the water again.

I'm leaning towards just sending that $19.45 check. It's the easiest way for my records.