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Round-Up Program
FAQ
What is
the Round-Up Program?
Why did
Brownsville Utility Department decide to do this?
How does if affect my bill?
Does the bill round up even if
the cents amount is less than 50?
Do I have a choice in
participating?
What if I decide later that I no
longer wish to participate?
Why do I have to choose not to
participate...why is this not voluntary from the start?
What if I participate in Project
Help?
Will all types of customers be
affected...even industrial and commercial?
How much money does this raise?
Who decides how the money is
used and which causes will benefit?
How does one learn about
applying for these funds?
Are these Round Up
contributions tax deductible?
What is this Round-Up Program?
Customers' monthly bills are
rounded up to the next highest dollar. The amount
rounded up is used to assist the less fortunate in our
community. For example: if you bill is $44.75, your bill
will be rounded up to $45.00. You contribution will be
25 cents.
Why
did B.U.D. decide to do this?
This is our own version of
Operation Round Up. Many other utilities in our area are
implementing this program. It is apparent that many
residents in our area are facing economic hardships. The
money raised from the Round-Up Program will have a
great, positive impact on our community.
How
does it affect my bill?
Customers bills are rounded up
to the next whole dollar amount. For example, if a
member's electric bill is $49.25, it rounds up to
$50.00. The extra 75 cents is set aside for a worthy
cause. This shows up as a separate item on your utility
bill.
Does the bill round up even if the cents amount is less
than 50?
Yes. A $99.01 bill and a $99.99
bill both round up to $100.00. The amount will vary from
person to person but will be no more than $11.88 a year.
Do
I have a choice in participating?
Yes. If you do not wish to
participate, please contact Brownsville Utility
Department at 731-772-8845 and we will remove you from
the program immediately.
What if I decide later that I no longer wish to
participate?
You can choose to exclude
yourself at any time, and you can have your
contributions refunded up to 12 months retroactively. In
other words, you can wait a year to see what you think
about the program, and then if you decide not to
participate, your contributions, for up to 12 months,
will be credited back to you.
Why
do I have to choose not to participate... why is this
not voluntary from the beginning?
It's voluntary in a sense that
the person can choose to be excluded. B.U.D.'s Board of
Directors chose to make the Round-Up Program an
"opt-out" program in hopes that more customers will
choose to stay in with the program.
What if I participate in Project Help?
Our generous customers who
participate in Project Help donate $1 a month for the
specific purpose of helping the truly needy pay their
utility bills. The Round-Up Program funds are intended
to help families in extreme situations. We hope that
those who participate in Project Help will continue
their contribution, and of course participate in the
Round-Up Program as well.
Will all types of customers be affected... even
industrial and commercial?
Yes. B.U.D.'s Board of
Directors voted to make participation in the Round-Up
Program available for each customer, without
discrimination.
How much money does this raise?
Approximately $2,500.00 per
month.
Who decides how the money is used and which causes will
benefit?
The Mustard Seed will be making
these decisions. They are an organization which provides
assistance to those in need. All of the Round-Up
contributions will be used to help customers with their
utility bills.
How does one learn about applying for these funds?
Contact The Mustard Seed at
731-772-4148
Are these Round Up contributions tax deductible?
Yes
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