Residential Service Rates
Keeping rates low.
Cable Rates
Rate Structure Effective January 1, 2021 (prices per month, unless otherwise noted)
CABLE PACKAGES
Basic = $31.80
Basic Plus (Basic required) = $66.30
SD Plus* = $9.00
HD Plus* = $3.00
Sports Plus* = $4.00
HBO* = $15.00
Showtime/TMC* = $15.00
Cinemax* = $8.50
Starz/Encore* = $9.00
Channel 3 Online (included in Basic) = $4.00/mo or $45.00/yr
CABLE EQUIPMENT
SD Box = $3.00
HD Box ($3) & Cable Card ($2) = $5.00
DVR Box ($8) & Cable Card ($2) = $10.00
DVR Service (Required with DVR box) = $5.00
Multi-Room DVR Service = $10.00
Cable Card = $2.00
ULTIMATE PACKAGES
Basic = $31.80
Expanded Basic (Basic required) = $66.30
Expanded Plus (Basic required) = $7.00
HBO* = $15.00
Showtime/TMC* = $15.00
Cinemax* = $8.50
Starz/Encore* = $9.00
Channel 3 Online (included in Basic) = $4.00/mo or $45.00/yr
ULTIMATE EQUIPMENT
Set top rental (required for each TV) = $3.00
DVR 100 GB (2 streams, approx 40 hours of HD content)………………………………………….$10.00/month
DVR 250 GB (5 streams, approx 100 hours of HD content)………………………………………….$15.00/month
DVR 500 GB (5 streams, approx 200 hours of HD content)………………………………………….$20.00/month
CABLE INSTALLATION / ACTIVATION / SUPPORT
Tiger Care Plan (residential customers) = $10.00/month
Device Configuration at SMU (customer-owned device) = $20.00/visit
Device Configuration at SMU (SMU-owned device) = $5.00/visit
Communication Service Calls (normal business hours) =$45.00/hour + tax
Communication Service Calls (after hours, 2-hour minimum) =$60.00/hour + tax
SecureIT Supported Install (residential customers) =$13.00/install
Communications Install Fee =$45.00/hour + tax
Some services may require a deposit and installation/activation fee
Blind/Visually Impaired Options
Blind or visually impaired cable TV customers can request a device equipped with a voice-enabled user interface to assist by reading channel names, program titles and descriptions. For more information, or to request a device, please contact our customer service center at 712-580-5800.
WATCH TV EVERYWHERE
Available with many SMU cable channels; learn more on our Cable page or at watchtveverywhere.com.
Residential Internet Rates
Rate Structure Effective March 1, 2020 (prices per month, unless otherwise noted)
Wireless Internet Access (per SMU access device)……$5.00
Wi-Fi lets you enjoy the Internet wirelessly from most anywhere in your home. Many devices connect using Wi-Fi, including gaming systems, TVs, computers as well as mobile devices like phones and tablets. With Managed Wi-Fi from Spencer Municipal Utilities, our team handles it for you, so you won’t have to worry about router upgrades, troubleshooting, firmware updates, and even assisting you with connecting devices to your network. We can also help to recover and reset your Wi-Fi password safely. You can simply enjoy strong signals and fast Internet throughout your home. SMU’s managed Wi-Fi works in conjunction with your SMU Internet service and costs $5.00 per month per SMU wireless Internet access device.
RESIDENTIAL CABLE MODEM INTERNET PACKAGES
Basic (1Mb/256Kb) = $30.00
Internet (10Mb/2Mb) = $55.00
Internet (15Mb/3Mb) = $55.00
Internet (30Mb/5Mb) = $90.00
Internet (50Mb/10Mb) = $100.00
Internet (100Mb/10Mb) = $125.00
RESIDENTIAL FIBER INTERNET PACKAGES
Basic (1Mb/256Kb) = $30.00
Internet (50Mb/10Mb) = $55.00
Internet (100Mb/20Mb) = $65.00
Internet (250Mb/50Mb) = $75.00
Internet (500Mb/100Mb) = $110.00
Internet (750Mb/150Mb) = $160.00
Internet (1GB/200Mb) = $210.00
Symmetrical Internet Service* = Add 20%
*SMU offers a Symmetrical Internet Service upgrade, which provides a fiber connection with the same upload and download speed. Fiber customers can upgrade to this service for an additional 20% of their current monthly internet rate.
INTERNET INSTALLATION / ACTIVATION / SUPPORT
Tiger Care Plan (residential customers) = $10.00/month
Tiger Care plan includes home wire protection for all of your SMU Communication Services in addition to device configuration on devices in your home, or portable devices in our office.
Device Configuration at SMU (customer-owned device) = $20.00/visit
Device Configuration at SMU (SMU-owned device) = $5.00/visit
Communication Service Calls (normal business hours) = $45.00/hour + tax
Communication Service Calls (after hours, 2 hour minimum) = $60.00/hour + tax
Communication Service Calls (normal business hours) = $45.00/hour + tax
SecureIT Plus from SMU (residential customers) = $7.00/device
SecureIT Supported Install (residential customers) = $13.00/hour + tax
Communication Install Fee = $45.00/hour + tax
Some services may require a deposit and installation/activation fee.
Residential Telephone Rates
Rate Structure Effective June 1, 2015 (prices per month, unless otherwise noted)
RESIDENTIAL TELEPHONE SERVICES
Residential Basic Service (per line, includes SLC) = $15.00
Additional VoiceMail Box; Call Forward-Busy Line; Call Forward-No Answer; Caller ID Blocking = $1.00/each
3-Way Calling; 30-Number Speed Dial; Anonymous Call Reject; Auto Call Back (*66); Auto Redial (*69); Call Forward-All Calls; Do Not Disturb; Find Me/Follow Me; Long Distance Alert (where available); Remote Call Forwarding; Select Call Acceptance; Select Call Rejection; SimRing; SmartScreen; Voicemail; Warm Line = $3.00/each
Call Waiting; Caller ID; Distinctive Ring (where available); Priority/Custom Ringing; Toll Restriction; Toll Restriction with Pin = $4.00/each
Caller ID + Call Waiting = $6.00
Residential Long Distance (no monthly charge) = $0.12/min + $0.00/mo
Residential Long Distance (with monthly charge) = $0.10/min + $3.00/mo
Residential Unlimited Long Distance (includes unlimited residential calling features) = $20.00/month
Some services may require a deposit and installation/activation fee
RESIDENTIAL TELEPHONE SERVICES
Tiger Care Plan (residential customers) = $10.00/month
Device Configuration at SMU (customer-owned device) = $20.00/visit
Device Configuration at SMU (SMU-owned device) = $5.00/visit
Communication Service Calls (normal business hours) = $45.00/hour + tax
Communication Service Calls (after hours, 2-hour minimum) = $60.00/hour + tax
SecureIT Plus Supported Install (residential customers) = $13.00/install
Communications Install Fee = $45.00/hour + tax
Some services may require a deposit and installation/activation fee.
As of December 15, 2014, nothing is changing to the service SMU provides telephone customers. The only change is that the Iowa law used to require Spencer to file a tariff with the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) that defined Spencer’s rules and regulations for providing local service. The law has been changed to say that Spencer does not need to file a tariff with the IUB anymore. SMU now is required to provide a summary (The Standard Agreement) of their rules and regulations to customers. Here are copies of the detailed information:
Spencer Municipal Utilities Customer Notice
Spencer Municipal Utilities Standard Agreement
Spencer Municipal Utilities Services Catalog
Water Rates
Rate Structure Effective August 1, 2020 (prices per month, unless otherwise noted)
WATER SERVICES
Water Service Per 1,000 Gallons = $5.75
Monthly Customer Charge Per Service Address = $28.00
Water Sprinkler Service Per 1,000 Gallons = $6.75
5/8-inch Meter, Tap & Saddle Service Permit = $325.00
1-inch Meter, Tap & Saddle Service Permit = $400.00
Additional 5/8-inch Meter Service Permit = $225.00
Additional 1-inch Meter Service Permit = $325.00
Meter Test by SMU = $45.00
SEWER/SOLID WASTE RATES
Solid Waste, storm sewer, and sanitary sewer are controlled by the City of Spencer and billed for your convenience through Spencer Municipal Utilities. Questions about rates and policies should be directed to Spencer City Hall at 712-580-7200. Rates effective 7/1/20-6/30/21.
Rate Code SC/SR, All Metered Customers: Minimum 1,000 Gallons = $9.68
Rate Code SC/SR, All Metered Customers: Next 49,000 Gallons = $5.06/1,000 gal
Rate Code SC/SR, All Metered Customers: Balance of Gallons = $3.61/1,000 gal
Rate Code S1, Non-metered Single Family = $33.86
Rate Code S2, Non-metered 1 Bedroom multi-family = $28.06
Rate Code S3, Non-metered 2 Bedroom multi-family = $33.86
Rate Code S6, Non-metered Commercial = $51.91
Rate Code S7, Non-metered Small Business = $33.86
Rate Code CSI, Combined Sewer Initiative = $16.25
RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE
Monthly Rate Per Dwelling Unit = $18.93
Residential Electric Rates
Rate Structure Effective November 1, 2018 (prices per month, unless otherwise noted)
RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC SERVICES
All Kilowatt Hours (Energy Cost Adjustment applies) = $0.0597 per kWh
Meter Charge = $14.25
ENERGY COST ADJUSTMENT (ECA)
An Energy Cost Adjustment (ECA) will be calculated monthly on all energy usage (kWh’s) for all customer classes. The ECA is based on a rolling 12-month average of SMU’s cost for purchased power.
11/13/20 through 12/12/2020 = $0.00997 per kWh
What is an ECA?
The Energy Cost Adjustment (ECA) reflects fluctuation cost to purchase electricity and the fuel to produce electricity. An increase or decrease in the ECA is dependent on market conditions. It adjusts monthly to pass costs through to customers’ bills. The ECA is based on a rolling 12-month average of SMU’s cost for purchased power.
Why does and ECA charge show up on my bill each month?
An ECA surcharge is included each month as the cost of purchasing and producing electricity increases or decreases. SMU increases or decreases the monthly surcharge on your bill to cover any additional costs of generating electricity.
Why are there additional costs with making the electricity?
The rising cost of fuel, primarily natural gas, that is used to generate electricity is the primary driver behind rising electricity costs. Sometimes the ECA may decrease.
Is there anything that can be done about the ECA charge by SMU?
Unfortunately, no. You can rest assured SMU will never make a profit off our customers’ added burden. By law, an ECA must go directly toward covering the increasing or decreasing costs. Nothing more, nothing less.
Is there just a problem here?
While our state and community often benefit from a low cost of living, energy prices are rising nationwide. For some natural gas and propane users, their energy bill will increase at a higher rate. For customers like you, SMU has a proven record of managing costs to keep rates as low as possible. That commitment to you will never change. According to the 2012 electric rate study by the American Public Power Association (APPA), SMU residential electric customers paid the lowest rate of any residential customer in the state of Iowa in 2012 at 6.8 cents per kilowatt hour. The data used in the study is what each utility reports to the Department of Energy and it is the average revenue per kilowatt hour. The average revenue consists of the rate, meter charge and ECA for SMU customers.
What can I do to keep unnecessary costs from my monthly bill?
You can look at the energy efficiency of your home and the SMU Resource Conservation program can help with some improvements. You and SMU can work together to make the best use of resources as well as helping keep electric costs down.
State sales and local option sales taxes will be added to the rate when applicable to comply with the provisions of the Code of Iowa.
