Electricity
The City of Stephen's electric utility entity began on June 22, 1900, when the village voted in favor for a $7,000 bond issue to build an electric plant and pumping station. G. A. Ralph, and engineer from Crookston, was given the contract to design this dual purpose facility with orders to call for bids for a building complete with equipment to satisfy the end result which would be a power plant able to run and electric generator and have the versatility to also power a pump-pressure for fire fighting purposes. The new building, which was built of brick and also included a jail cell, was completed and the electric plant was in operation by the middle of December 1900.
| Stephen's Electrical Rates
Customer Charge........................................$10.00/month User Charge: Residential..................................................$.06.90/kwh Small Commercial Less than 100,000 kwh/year..........................$.06.70/kwh Large Commercial More than 1000,000 kwh/year.......................$.06.70/kwh Off-Peak Rate...............................................$.02.65/kwh Demand Waiver Rate...................................$.03.15/kwh |
Natural Gas
Customer Charge.............................$4.00/month
Usage Charge.........................................$.65/cct
Water
Prior to 1994, Stephen had its own water treatment plant providing residents and businesses with a fresh supply for many years.
In the fall of 1994 a new source of water had been implemented for the City of Stephen. In cooperation with North Kittson Rural Water System the city and its users now were provided with an unlimited supply of fresh water capable of meeting any personal, commercial or industrial demand.
Stephen's Water Rates
Customer Charge..................................$4.00/month
Usage Charge.............................$3.50/1,000 gallons
Non-metered (Mobile Homes)..............$12.00/month
Sewer
Stephen's Sewer Rates
Customer Charge......................50% of Water Usage
Minimum Charge.............................................$2.00
Garbage Collection
Northern Sanitation Service has contracted with the City of Stephen for collection of garbage and emptying of commercial and private dumpsters. Collection days are every Tuesday for residential and Monday and Thursday for commercial and manufacturing.
Stephen's Garbage Collection Rates
Customer Charge..................................$6.00/month
Volume Based Bag System..$.85/13 gal. yellow bag
$1.60/30 gal. purple bag
Commercial With Dumpsters ......Based on Volume
Dumpster Rental
1.5 Yard Dumpster...............................$5.00/month
3 Yard Dumpster................................$10.00/month
Telephone Service
Regular telephone service is provided by GTE
Telephone Rates
A resident one-party monthly telephone rate in Stephen is as follows:
Basic cost..................................................$22.00
Other charges include services such as call waiting, phone rental, tax, etc.
A Stephen business with a single line has the following charges:
Basic cost.................................................$32.60
Other charges include services such as more that one line, call waiting, phone rental, tax, etc.
Cellular Service
CellularOne and Cell 2000 phone service is available to customers at competitive rates. Various packages are available -- all equipped to meet your needs.
Snow Removal
Snow removal by the city crews typically begins with clearance of the main arteries, namely 5th Street and Pacific Avenue, and continues until all streets have been serviced.
Special storm relate announcements (school, organization, etc.) can be heard on radio station KNOX, 1310, Grand Forks, ND.
Recycling
The City of Stephen in cooperation with KaMaR Recycling, makes available to its residents a recycling service for such items as newspapers, plastics, aluminum/tin, and glass. The site is adjacent to the city shop and is available for use 7 days a week.
Making Utility Payments
Stephen utility payments for water, sewer, electricity, and garbage collection may be paid in person or sent via mail to the City Clerk's Office, P.O. Box 630, Stephen, MN 56757.