DEAR VALUED CITIZENS GAS CUSTOMERS:

To bring simplicity and convenience to Citizen Gas Utility District (“CGUD”) customers who vote their business or commercial accounts at Board of Commissioner elections, changes in voting procedures for these “Business Organizations” have taken place.

Business Organizations are gas meters, for example, in the name of a sole proprietorship (i.e., “Bill’s Plumbing Services”), corporations (i.e., “Bill’s Plumbing Services Co.” or “Bill’s Plumbing Services, Inc.”), non-profit corporations and IRC Section 501©(3) organizations (i.e., “Habitat for Humanity” or “Mission of Hope”), limited liability companies (i.e., “Bill’s Plumbing Services, LLC”) and partnerships (i.e., “Bill and Ted’s Plumbing Services”, or “Smith Family Stables”).

In past elections, business owners had to fill out a form at each and every election they voted, designating a person to vote on behalf of the business. To improve the process, it is no longer done that way.

Under the NEW RULES for voting business or commercial accounts, all owners, officers or lawful agents of the Business Organization who want to vote for their business entity must appear in person at the CGUD office in the county where its gas account is located (Helenwood office for Scott County and Wartburg office for Morgan County) and register as a “BOV” (Business Organization Voter). The registration process for a BOV is simple and quick.

Each Business Organization can register as many as two (2) BOV’s; this provides a back-up voter if one cannot get to the election. Once registered, BOV’s never have to go back to a CGUD office and register again to vote in future elections, unless a BOV wants to remove their name or a substitute BOV is needed, which must be done in person. The BOV’s name(s) will appear on the monthly invoice for the Business Organization, and voting on election day will be much easier and efficient, with the BOV moving straight through the voting line without the need to fill out a designation form before voting.

There is a deadline involved. In order for a Business Organization to vote in an August Board of Commissioners election, the BOV’s must be registered no later than the July 31 immediately preceding that August election. A business or commercial account with no registered BOV will not be permitted to vote. However, that business can register on election day for the next August election.

Business Organizations are strongly encouraged to register its BOV (or two BOV’s if it chooses) as soon as possible, to assure the Business Organization can not only vote, but also vote with convenience in future elections.

If you have questions about this process, please call CGUD at (423) 569-4457. Thank you for being a Citizens Gas Utility District customer.

 Sincerely,

Greg Bell, General Manager, Citizens Gas Utility District

Citizens Gas Utility District encourages all of our customers to read their gas meters regularly. Your gas meter measures the amount of cubic feet of natural gas you use in a given month. The meter measures the gas by counting the filling and emptying of the compartments inside the meter. Though meters vary in size and shape, they all record gas use in the same basic way. Well-maintained gas meters have proved to be over 99% accurate. Most residential gas meters operate like the odometer on your car. Read the numbers left to right. Subtract the previous reading from the current reading to find out how many cubic feet you are using.

Natural Gas Can Be Used to Completely Power a Home, heating water, cooking food, powering electronic devices – natural gas, directly and indirectly, powers the entire home in many cities. Natural gas powers a variety of appliances, and it’s a source of electricity. It’s what you call a diversified energy source. Natural Gas is more affordable.

It’s the fuel source that provides quality, comfort and convenience to 178 million Americans. Natural gas is an indispensable part of our modern lifestyle. Whether heating our homes, our water or cooking our food, natural gas is essential to our home life and the way we live. Across every room in your home.

Check the FAQ section on our home page for more information about our system and propane.