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City of Vermillion

Finance

Mission Statement
The City of Vermillion's Finance Office shall uphold or exceed the standards of accountability mandated by the State of South Dakota; shall fulfill the trust delegated to it by the Vermillion community; shall graciously and professionally execute the responsibilities of consumer service; and, shall utilize the assets of this office to benefit all programs conducted by the City of Vermillion.

Office Hours
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by phone at 677-7056. The phone is answered by the Police Department after office hours for emergency service.

New Drive-Up Utility Payment Box
A drive up utility payment drop box is located on Elm Street on the east side of City Hall as a quick and easy way to drop off your monthly payment. There is also a drop box inside the west entry to city hall.

Paperless Billing
The City of Vermillion has the capability to e-mail your monthly utility bill. This service is easy to start and you are able to cancel at any time. Print and complete the attached authorization form and return to us to start receiving your bills via e-mail today. (Paperless Billing)

Automatic Payment Plan
Apply today to have your monthly utility bill automatically made from your checking or savings account. To take advantage of this service, print and complete the attached authorization form and return it to us. (Automatic Payment Plan)

About the Finance Office
The Finance Office has custody of all official documents, is responsible for preparing the minutes of the City Council meetings, audits all claims before being approved by the City Council, prepares financial statements for internal and external uses for all funds, prepares notices of special assessment, monthly utility billing, biweekly payrolls, handles the City investments, conducts municipal elections, prepares annual financial reports and is responsible for all financial accounting for the City.

Utility Service
The Finance Office staff assists customers with establishing utility service. The payment of service connection fees and meter deposits is required before service is connected. A service connection fee is charged for all new services (electric and/or water) or changes in utility accounts. The service fee is $10.00 plus tax for each service connection requested during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday). After hours and on weekends the fee is $50.00 for water and $50.00 for electric, plus tax.

Residential meter deposits are charged to new residential rental customers. Any residential rental customer requesting utility services, or a change in existing service by moving to a new address, is required to make a deposit or update their existing deposit to $30.00 for electric and $15.00 for water.

City Departments
Please select the department about which you would like to view additional information.
Key Contacts

Finance Office - City Hall
25 Center Street
Vermillion, SD 57069

Michael Carlson
Finance Officer
605.677.7056

Sherry Howe
Office Manager
605.677.7093

Michelle Eidem
Accountant
605.677.7094

Jan Johnson
Utility Clerk
605.677.7095

Mari Mehlbrech
Utility Clerk
605.677.7096

Vicki Fader
Utility Clerk
605.677.7057

Commercial meter deposits are charged to all commercial customers. Customers requesting utility services, or change in existing services, are required to make or update their deposits to an amount equal to one month's estimated billing. Commercial accounts that have 12 consecutive months of promptly and fully paid bills will have meter deposits credited to the accounts.

All utility meters are read between the 10th and 20th of each month and bills are mailed the last week of each month.

Utility bills are due upon receipt and, if not paid by the 10th of the month, a five percent penalty is applied. If a monthly bill is not received, please contact the finance office and/or the post office as the penalty applies to all accounts.

Disconnect Policy
If the account has not been paid by the 10th of the following month, the customer is sent a disconnect notice by certificate of mailing. To insure continued utility service, one of the following must be done prior to the disconnect date shown on the notice:

  • Pay the bill in full.
  • Make partial payment of at least 25 percent of the bill and enter into a written agreement to pay the remaining balance within three months along with paying each month's current bill.
  • Pay the undisputed portion of the bill. If there is any dispute about the bill, and file a written appeal of the disputed portion of the bill with the Finance Officer. Service will be continued until a timely appeal is heard by the City Council.

Contact the Finance Office to have utility service discontinued if you are moving. A final billing will be processed in 4-6 weeks after disconnection, with any meter deposit applied. Utility service is continued until requested to be terminated.

Utility payments can be made at the City Finance Office at 25 Center Street during office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Payments may also be made by using the drop box in the entry to City Hall, the drive-up drop box on Elm Street on the east side of City Hall, by mail, at Hy-Vee customer service, or by automatic payment plan.