Effective January 1, 2015, sewer rates will change for Fitchburg Utility customers. The new rates will be reflected on your March, 2015 quarterly statement. Also, effective immediately, Fitchburg Utilities will be enforcing the new Municipal Utility Information Law 196.137(2). The new law prohibits Fitchburg Utility to share any information about your account with anyone not listed on the exemption list. The Statute in its entirety and "Consent to Disclose" can be found below and are also available on the Fitchburg Utilities website. If you are married and your spouse is not listed on the bill, please contact the Utility Department at (608) 270-4270 to discuss your options.
NEW CUSTOMER PRIVACY LAW
196.137 - Municipal utility customer information.
(1)Definitions. In this section:
(a) "Customer information" means any information received from customers which serves to identify customers individually by usage or account status.
(b) "Municipal utility" has the meaning given in s. 196.377(2) (a) 3.
(2)Prohibition. A municipal utility may not release customer information to any person except
with the consent of the customer obtained on a form specified under sub. (4), or except to any of the following:
(a) Agents, vendors, partners, or affiliates of the municipal utility that are engaged to perform
any services or functions for or on behalf of the municipal utility.
(ae) In connection with an issue of municipal securities and to the extent the municipal utility
determines release is necessary to comply with securities disclosure obligations, a lender or a purchaser, or potential purchaser, of or investor, or potential investor, in municipal securities.
(am) In connection with the preparation of real estate closing documents, a title agent, insurer,
lender, mortgage broker, or attorney providing legal services.
(ap) In connection with a real estate transaction or appraisal of real property, a real estate
broker or salesperson licensed under ch. 452 or an appraiser certified or licensed under ch. 458.
(as) In connection with the foreclosure of real property, a lender or prospective purchaser.
(b) Transmission and distribution utilities and operators within whose geographic service
territory the customer is located.
(c) The commission or any person whom the commission authorizes by order or rule to receive
the customer information.
(cm) An owner of a rental dwelling unit to whom the municipal utility provides notice of past-due charges pursuant to s. 66.0809 (5).
(cr) An owner of real property provided with municipal utility service or the owner's designated
agent or representative.
(d) Any person who is otherwise authorized by law to receive the customer information.
(3)Public record exception. Customer information is not subject to inspection or copying under
s. 19.35.
(4) Consent form. No later than April 1, 2014, the commission shall specify a form for a
municipal utility to obtain a customer's consent to the release of customer information.
(5) Customer postcards. A municipal utility that sends a billing statement to a customer on a
postcard does not violate the prohibition under sub. (2).
CONSENT TO DISCLOSE UTILITY CUSTOMER INFORMATION
Requesting Entity Name (if applicable)_____________________________________________
Contact Person________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address______________________________________________________________
Phone_(_____)____________ Fax_(_____)____________ Email________________________
INFORMATION REQUESTED
The person or entity identified above requests customer information, including billing and usage data related to utility services provided by Fitchburg Utilities. Such information includes your account balance, payment history and total use per billing period. The information provided by the utility may include any other information regarding your account contained in utility records.
CUSTOMER’S CONSENT
Your information is treated as private by the utility and can only be disclosed as permitted by Wis.Stat. § 196.137. You are not required to authorize the disclosure of your customer information, and your decision not to authorize the disclosure will not affect your utility service.
By signing this form you acknowledge and agree that you are the customer(s) of record for this account and that you authorize the utility to disclose your customer information to the requesting entity listed on this form. This consent is valid until you terminate your service, or withdraw consent by sending a written request with your name and service address to the utility at the address specified at the top of this form. You may terminate this consent at any time.
Please complete this form and return it to the utility either by:
• Email: Kim.Hauge@fitchburgwi.gov
• Fax: (608)270-4212
• Mail: Fitchburg Utilities, 5520 Lacy Rd, Fitchburg WI 53711
CUSTOMER ACCOUNT NUMBER ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ ___ - ___ ___
SERVICE ADDRESS__________________________________________________________________________
PRINTED CUSTOMER(S) NAME_______________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE OF CUSTOMER(S) _______________________________________________________________
DATE SIGNED_______________________ CUSTOMER PHONE NUMBER (_____)_________________
Please complete separate consent forms for each utility account.