Village of Yellow Springs, Ohio

Technical Requirements for Submitted Video

We can accept VHS tapes, playable DVDs, or MPEG2 files on CD or DVD. Program media should be of good technical quality. Files on a camera with internal storage may be submitted, but should be transferred to other media for editing or upload. Burn DVDs at 8x or slower for best success:

Audio level should be similar to commercial tapes or DVDs, with reasonable clarity.

For maximum compatibility, MPEG files and DVD-VIDEO disks should have the following characteristics:

• file names no larger than 20 characters, with no spaces or special characters
• elementary MPEG-2 Program stream (not Transport stream) container format
• 29.97 pictures per second frame rate
• video bit rate: Variable, maximum 7 Mb/sec, minimum 1.5 Mb/sec
• aspect ratio: NTSC 4:3 (16:9 will display tall and skinny on most TV sets)
• video resolution: Full (720 horizontal x 480 vertical) or half (352 x 480)
• sampling format: 4:2:0
• structure: IBBP group of pictures (GOP) 30 frame max size
• Audio encoding: audio layer II (only, not linear PCM or AAC)
• audio sample frequency (rate): 44.1 KHz (48 optional)
• audio bit rate: 224 Kb/sec (192 optional)

Programming may be dropped off in the basket in the lobby of the Bryan Center; or mailed to Village of Yellow Springs, 100 Dayton St., Yellow Springs OH 45387 Attn: Yellow Springs Community Access. Videotapes or disks must be submitted in an case and accompanied with a Program Release form.

The Village of Yellow Springs Utility Department offers a number of ways to pay your utility bill.

We currently accept the following payment types:

• Cash
• Personal Check
• Money Order
• Credit Cards - All major credit cards are accepted (fees apply)

You may pay your bill via the following:

• In person at our customer service window during posted hours with cash, credit card, money order or personal check
• Drop boxes conveniently located inside the Bryan Center on the first floor or outside the front of the Bryan Center  (we do not accept cash in the drop boxes)
• By mail
• Over the phone by calling 1-937-701-7352
• By ACH or automatic debit - which is FREE through our office
• Setting up automatic bill pay through your bank (please allow ample time for mailing of the payment)
• Online bill pay by clicking here

Sewer –  (Inside corporate limits)

Water 

(Inside corporate limits) 

Electric
Electricity rates are based on a number of different factors. For detailed information on our electric rates, please click here.

Service D - Municipal Service

Service E - Annual Curbside Spring Clean-Up
Each Spring, residents may set out an unspecified number of items for collection during a given week. All items must be bagged, containerized, and/or securely tied in 4x4 bundles. No loose garbage will be picked up. The village will post specifications for the event in advance. 

Optional Spring Clean Up
Rumpke proposes the Roll-Off Container pricing grid below for the village to consider. This containerized approach could be used as a replacement for or in addition to the annual Spring clean-up program. Rumpke would coordinate with Village staff on the logistics of the Roll Off Drop Off program. In this scenario, residents or village staff would be responsible for delivering refuse to the designated container site and loading the material into containers. 

Service F - Yardwaste Collection

Find more recycling information by Rumpke here. 

Rights of the Producer

Each producer has complete creative control of the content of each programmer retains ownership and copyright of the content. YSCA does not preview programs for content (censor) nor exercise editorial control, except in the situation where it has actual and credible advance notice of probable illegal content. The staff may preview for technical reasons.

The station reserves the right to cablecast any program or any portion at anytime and for any purpose. The staff will not duplicate a community producer’s program for anyone other than the producer without his/her permission.

Responsibilities of the Producer

All producers are fully responsible for the content of their programs. The producer is responsible for obtaining all clearances for use of any copyrighted or protected material. The producer is responsible for securing talent releases and ensuring the cablecasting of the program does not violate the rights of a third party.

The producer of programs dealing with political candidates and/or issues is responsible for complying with all local, state, and federal election laws.

Download:

• Program Release Form
• Talent Release Form

Signing up for service

In order to sign up for service at an address, you will first need to complete the “Utility Registration Form”.

You can print and submit a hard copy which can be found here or by visiting the Utility Office customer service window Monday through Friday from 8am – 4:30pm. 

If you completed a print form, you will need to bring it to the Utility Office customer service window during business hours along with a copy of your driver’s license and a copy of your lease agreement or purchase agreement or mail it to 100 Dayton St Yellow Springs, OH 45387 ATTN: Utility Office. After your application is received, will be processed. You may also email it to one of the Utility Billing Clerks via the Staff Directory. 

*If you own the property, you will need to provide proof of ownership (ie: settlement statement, deed, etc).

Stopping Service

If you need to stop service at any time, simply stop in or call the Utility Billing Office at 937-767-7202 and select Option 2. You will need to provide the date that you wish to stop service and a forwarding address. Note that we will need 48 hours notice in order to get a final reading on your meter(s) in order to process your final bill. We are unable to back-date final reads.

If you wish to stop service you can do so by submitting a request via email at utilitybilling@yso.com , in person during regular business hours, or via phone at 937-767-7202 opt. 2. We require 2 business days notice to final out an account.

A final bill will be sent to your forwarding address during the regular monthly billing cycle. 

Instructions and information about submitting programs

PROGRAM SCHEDULING

Live and rebroadcast programs of local government meetings receive top priority by the staff for scheduling cablecast time. Programming produced and submitted by residents or organizations of Yellow Springs has the next highest priority. Programming produced by a citizen or organization of another community, about Yellow Springs or of special interest to the community but sponsored (submitted) by a citizen or organization of Yellow Springs will receive the next highest scheduling priority. Otherwise, applications will be processed and scheduled on a nondiscriminatory basis to ensure that no one person or organization monopolizes cablecast time to the disadvantage of others. YSCA reserves the right to schedule program at times appropriate to best serve the community.

PROGRAM SUBMITTAL

All programs should include title, date, and producer of the program at the beginning and/or the end.

Videotapes or disks must be submitted in a case along with a completed Program Release form. Videotape or DVD, and case must be clearly labeled stating the program title, program run-time, and the name, address and telephone number of the Yellow Springs resident submitting the media. No stick-on labels are allowed on CDs or DVDs or the “door” of VHS tapes.

Program media may be dropped off in the basket in the lobby of the Bryan Center; or mailed to Village of Yellow Springs, 100 Dayton St., Yellow Springs OH 45387 Attn: Community Access.

If requested, videotapes and DVDs will be available for pick-up within ten business days after submittal. Any media unclaimed after 30 days will be archived, recycled, or discarded at the discretion of the staff. The station is not responsible for loss or damage of videotapes or disks. If station media was used for the master, the producer may make or purchase a copy at cost.

Extra area: links to 4a, 4b

Announcement Submission Form

Brad Ault, Superintendent of Water & Wastewater, and his staff are responsible for making sure that your drinking water meets OEPA standards and is safe to drink.  They also ensure that the system is reliable, there is sufficient pressure throughout the system and that enough volume and pressure are available to adequately support the hydrants in case of a fire in the Village. The Village of Yellow Springs Water Treatment Plant is made up of three major components:  the Water-supply Wells, the Water Treatment Plant and the Water Storage Towers and is rated a “Class 1 Plant”. These components must all function together for the system to meet the Village’s water demands.  Special licensure is required to run the Plant; Brad Ault holds a Water Supply Class II,Kevin Martin-Class I, Sean Roose-Class II (OIT) and Ginnifer Amey-Class I (OIT).

Yellow Springs built the existing water treatment plant, located off Jacoby Road, in 2016. Four production wells are also located in that same area. The 1.0 MGD treatment plant is designed for iron and manganese removal, softening and for disinfection we use sodium hypochlorite. The Village discontinued fluoridation in May 2011, after fifty years of adding it to the drinking water.  Yellow Springs has two standpipe style water towers located at Gaunt Park on South College Street. Together these towers are rated at 2.0 million gallons, or about four days of supply at the average daily design flow of 0.5 million gallons a day.

Village of Yellow Springs

Utility Office Policies and Procedures

Effective 2-20-2020

**Procedures associated with property owner responsibility of tenant utility bills shall not apply to accounts currently in the name of the tenant at a rental address until the tenant moves and is replaced by another tenant.  Otherwise, any new occupancy of a rental property after January 1, 2016 the property owner will be responsible for any utility bill associated with their property per Village Ordinance 1040.02.

New Account Set Up 

1. Any new accounts must be set up in person at the Village Utilities Office or via email to utilitybilling@yso.com prior to the date of move in order to establish a clear start of service date and/or avoid disruption of services.
2. The applicant must provide the Village Utilities Office with the Utility Account Registration form, properly completed, as well as any other required documentation. If the property is a rental property, a copy of the lease agreement will be required. This form is available online at yso.com and click on “Village Departments”, then click on “Utility Billing”, and finally click on “Forms and Applications” under the heading “More Information”. 
3. Utility services at any property shall be placed in the name of the occupant unless the property is a rental unit and the property owner elects to keep the utility services in their name. 
4. Owners of rental properties shall have the option of the account being placed in their name or the name of the tenant. If the account is put into the owner’s name, the bill will be sent to the owner. If the bill is placed in the tenant’s name, the bill will be sent to the tenant, unless the owner elects the bill to be sent to them directly. 
5. In the instance of rental properties, residential or commercial, both the property owner and the tenant must supply pertinent information as determined by the Village of Yellow Springs. 
6. No utility service shall be initiated at any property until such time as proper paperwork and documentation has been provided to the Village Utilities Office.
7. If services are disconnected at time of application, any outstanding balance associated with that property must be brought current before services are reconnected. 
8. It is the responsibility of the applicant to bring any past due balances in their name current before utilities will be placed in their name. Landlords are welcome to verify if there are any past due balances in the name of a potential tenant. If a past due balance exists in the name of a person who is a renter, they must bring the account current prior to the utilities being put in their name. 

Payment Options and Fees 

The Village Utilities Office accepts a number of different forms of payment. We accept cash, checks, money orders, credit cards, and automatic debit from a checking or savings account. Fees will apply if paying by credit card/debit card. Also, if paying by check, over the phone, there is a processing fee. To pay by phone you can call 1-937-701-7352 anytime.

Delinquency Procedures 

• For the purposes of determining delinquency, if the utility bill is not paid in full upon the due date on the 15^th of each month, the customer's account shall be classified as delinquent. Once they are classified as delinquent, they are assessed a 5% penalty. There will be no extensions granted.
• Once the following month’s bill is issued, customers will be notified of any past due balance on their bill.
• If a customer has not paid their bill by the time the next month’s bill becomes due, they are notified by letter of potential disconnection if the past due balance on the account is not paid by the date indicated on the letter. If the property is a rental property, the property owner will also receive a copy of the disconnection letter.  There will be no extensions granted. **Disconnect letters will  be sent for any account $20.00 or more past due
• After the passage of seven days from the date of the letter, if the account remains delinquent and no payment plan has been executed, the designated workers of the Village may enter the premises where such utility service is being provided, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and disconnect any and all meters, conduits or attachments from the mains, pipes or lines of the Village. If utility services are disconnected at any address, service shall not be reinstated for any utility until the full balance of the account attached to said address has been paid in full. 
• Once services have been disconnected, or if a tenant moves and leaves an outstanding balance, an attempt to collect the full amount due plus penalties will be made by the Village. Any correspondence in an attempt to collect an unpaid bill will be sent to the landlord as well, if applicable.  At that point the tenant/homeowner/landlord will have an opportunity to pay the balance no less than 30 days after the due date of the final bill. If the account is not brought current after 30 days passed the bill due date, any outstanding balance, including any penalties, will be assessed to the property taxes along with an applicable assessment fee through the process prescribed by the Greene County Auditor. 
• Delinquent amounts incurred by tenants prior to the implementation of this policy shall stay with the tenant and shall not be considered attached to the property for the purposes of this policy.

Utility Disputes 

If you are disputing your current meter reads, a courtesy re-read will be offered once a month. Any additional customer requests for re-reads incur an additional charge per work order created.

Inquiries or complaints regarding a specific utility bill must be made prior to the due date. Utility bill complaints are filed with the Village Utilities Office.  Complaints may be filed via mail, in person, or via email to utilitybilling@yso.com. Any pertinent documentation should be presented at that time. Bills in dispute are still subject to penalty and/or disconnection for non-payment. 

Minor complaints will be handled within the Village Utilities Office. More complex issues will be referred to the Finance Director who will determine if the issue will require a decision by the Utility Dispute Resolution Board. 

Access to Meters 

A number of meters within the Village are located inside residences or buildings and not accessible by Village staff. Per Village Ordinance 1040.11, customers shall allow Village staff access to Village equipment, including meters, at intervals not to exceed 90 days. This policy is in place in order to ensure that the equipment is functioning properly and collecting accurate readings. Gaining access to meters and acquiring reads also alerts Village staff to any water leaks or other issues that could affect a customer’s bill. 

If the meter reader is unable to gain access at the time your reading is due, a customer card will be left in a conspicuous location at the property. In order to collect a read, the customer is expected to fill out the card immediately and return it to the Village Utilities Office via postage paid mail or in person. It should be noted that the customer card does not substitute the meter reader gaining access. 

If Village staff has not accessed a customer’s meter in over 90 days, they will receive a letter notifying them of such and requesting the customer set up a time to have their meter read. 

Assistance Programs

The Village of Yellow Springs Utilities Office understands that hardships can occur making it difficult to pay your monthly bills. Customers can contact the following assistance programs in the area who may be able to provide assistance in a time of need:

Utility Round-Up Program (URUP)

This program was created to assist Yellow Springs residents who are in threat of disconnection of their utility services. The program is funded entirely from citizen donations. Residents may only apply once per six months. Available funds are disbursed monthly on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants must meet the program parameters listed below.

• Applicant must be at risk of utility shut-off.

• The Utility Round-Up Program may be used only once per six months.

• Assistance is available for up to $400.

• If the past due balance exceeds $400 (or amount approved), the remaining past due balance must be paid before scheduled disconnection. Funds will not be disbursed for the Utility Round-Up Program until this is done.

• Accepted applicants must enroll in a payment plan for the remainder of the account balance unless they can provide paperwork from their landlord prohibiting payment plans.

• All applications are due by the 20th day of the month to be eligible for consideration.

The Utility Round-Up Application is located at the bottom of this page. Feel free to download and complete. Return the application to the Yellow Springs Utility Office in the Brayan Center located at 100 Dayton St. Yellow Springs, Ohio, 45387. For further information, please contact the Utility Office: 937-767-7202 ext.2

Payment Agreements

In addition to the assistance programs outlined above, the Village also offers payment agreements to customers that face undue hardships and may require special arrangements to bring their account current. Customers must complete a  Request for Payment Agreement form and submit it along with a written request outlining their hardship and submit it to the Village Utilities Office to apply for a payment arrangement.  If granted, a signed payment agreement must be arranged before any impending disconnection date. The balance on the agreement will be evenly distributed over a mutually agreed-upon time frame not to exceed six months unless otherwise approved by the Finance Director. This agreed-upon amount will be expected to be paid along with the current month’s bill.  The customer will receive a separate copy of their bill with the revised amount due based on the payment agreement.   

Customers who are on payment agreements will carry a past due balance noted on their account. If the customer resides in a rental property, it is the policy of the Village to notify property owners of any tenant’s with past due balances.

Should a customer default on their payment agreement, a notice of disconnection will be hand delivered to the customer as well as the property owner if the customer lives in a rental property. If payment is not made within 48 hours, the utility service will be disconnected. Village staff will check both drop boxes at 7:30 am on the day of disconnection and if no payment has been received at that time, Village staff will be dispatched to disconnect service.

In order to reinstate utilities, the account must be brought current, including any re-connection fees.  The only methods of payment accepted at this time will be cash, money order or credit card. No checks will be accepted. Once a customer defaults on a payment agreement, they will not be granted another payment agreement without approval by the Finance Director.

Customers will be allowed to enter into one payment agreement per year.

Garbage and recycling service is a contracted service between the Village of Yellow Springs and Rumpke. 

Each home is provided with a recycling tote to place items for recycling. For information on what can and cannot be recycled, please click here: Recycling Do's and Don'ts

Garbage rates are on a tiered system and depend on how much waste your household produces. We are proud of this progressive rate structure that encourages reduced waste. 

You are responsible for providing your own waste receptacle(s) based on the tier that you select. The Utility Billing Office can help you select which tier is right for you. 

If you have questions or problems with your garbage service, please call the Utility Billing Office. Do not call Rumpke as we are the best ones to help you with your issue quickly because your account is with us and not Rumpke. 

For more information on tiers and garbage pick up click here.

Please click on the links below to be taken to various documents with information on the Village's water: 

Frequently Asked Questions about Village Water

Household Questions Related to Water

Village Water Quality

As the Village works to bring the new water plant online, we want Villagers to be informed. We plan to add more informational documents as they become available and we hope that this information is helpful. 

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Utility Billing Office at 767-7202, ext. 221 as a first stop and if they cannot get you the answer you need, they will be able to direct you to the correct person! 

Have you ever wanted to calculate your own utility bill just to verify that everything is checking out okay or have you ever just wondered what charges are included? Now you can do that with one spreadsheet! 

Keep in mind that the spreadsheet provided will only calculate residential electric and water service based on a 3/4" and 5/8" water meter. If your bill does not calculate correctly, contact the utility billing office as there may be other factors associated with your individual account such as a different electric service or water meter size that is not standard. 

We hope that this help you to understand your Village utility bill!

To get started, click on the link below.

Utility Bill Calculation Spreadsheet

Excavation in preparation for construction

Pouring concrete foundation

Foundation preparation

Concrete walls

Setting equipment

Pellet softeners inside new plant

Chemical storage

Sand filtration system

New water testing laboratory

Updating in progress. 

 CODE OF ETHICS

All law enforcement officers must be fully aware of the ethical responsibilities of their position and must strive constantly to live up to the highest possible standards of professional policing.  

The Village of Yellow Springs Police Department believes it is important that police officers have clear advice and counsel available to assist them in performing their duties consistent with their standards, and has adopted the following ethical mandates as guidelines to meet these ends.  

Primary Responsibilities of a Police Officer

A police officer acts as an official representative of government who is required and trusted to work within the law.  The officer's powers and duties are conferred by statute.  The fundamental duties of a police officer include serving the community; safeguarding lives and property; protecting the innocent' keeping the peace; and ensuring the rights of all to liberty, equality and justice. 

Performance of the Duties of a Police Officer

A police officer shall perform all duties impartially, without favor of affection or ill will and without regard to status, sex, religion, political belief or aspiration.  All citizens will be treated equally with consideration and dignity.  Officers will never allow personal feelings, animosities or friendships to influence official conduct.  Laws will be enforced appropriately and courteously and, in carrying out their responsibilities, officers will strive to obtain maximum cooperation from the public.  They will conduct themselves in appearance and deportment in such a manner as to inspire confidence and respect for the position of public trust they hold.  

Discretion

A police officer will use responsibly the discretion vested in the position and exercise it within the law.  The principle of reasonableness will guide the officer's determinations and the officer will consider all surrounding circumstances in determining whether any legal action shall be taken.  

Consistent and wise use of discretion, based on professional policing competence, will do much more to preserve good relationships and retain the confidence of the public.  There can be difficulty in choosing between conflicting courses of action.  It is important to remember than a timely word of advice, rather than arrest, may be a more effective means of achieving a desired end.  

Use of Force 

 A police officer will never employ unnecessary force or violence, and will, in all circumstances, use only such force in the discharge of duty as is reasonable.  

Confidentiality

Whatever a police officer sees which is of a legitimate and legal confidential nature, will be kept secret unless the performance of duty or legal provision requires otherwise.  

Members of the public have a right to security and privacy, and information obtained about them must not be improperly divulged.  

Integrity

A police officer will not engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will an officer condone such acts by other police officers.  

The public demands that the integrity of police officers be above reproach.  Police officers must therefore avoid any conduct that might compromise integrity and thus undercut the public confidence in a law enforcement agency.  Officers will refuse to accept any gifts, presents, subscriptions, favors, gratuities or promises that could be interpreted as seeking to cause the officer to perform or refrain from performing official responsibilities honestly and within the law.  Respect from the public cannot be bought;  it can only be earned and cultivated.  

Cooperation with other Officers and Agencies

Police officers will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice.  

An officer or agency may be one among many organizations that provide law enforcement services to a jurisdiction.  It is imperative that a police officer assists colleagues fully and completely with respect and consideration at all times.  

Personal/Professional Capabilities

Police officers will be responsible for their own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve their level of knowledge and competence.  

Through study and experience, a police officer can acquire the high level of knowledge and competence that is essential for the efficient and effective performance of duty.  The acquisition of knowledge is a never ending process of personal and professional development that should be pursued constantly.  

Private Life

Police officers will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to their agencies or themselves.  

A police officer's character and conduct while off duty must always be exemplar, thus maintaining a position of respect in the community in which he or she lives and serves.  The officer's personal behavior must be beyond reproach.   

• News &
  Notices
• Events
   
• Useful
  Links
• Services
   

News & Notices

• Council Meeting Agenda for April 15, 2024 Regular Meeting
• !! WATER MAIN BREAK !! (4/10)
• YSPD PUBLIC STATEMENT (3/28/24)

More

Events

• Finance Committee
  Thursday, April 25 9:30 AM
• Council Meeting
  Monday, May 06 7:00 PM
• Environmental Commission
  Thursday, May 09 6:00 PM

More

Useful Links

Council Initiatives Process	Rumpke Guidelines	2020 VYS Comprehensive Land Use Plan
YSPD Public Records Request Form	Village of Yellow Springs Vendor Registration Information	2023 Zoning Fee Schedule approved 2-21-23
National SRO Appreciation Day Recognizes YSPD Officer Steven Kincade	2022 Waste Water Rate Analysis	2022 Electric Analysis

More

Services

Before You Dig, Call 8-1-1	Channel 5 Programming Schedule	Community Access Yellow Springs – Council Meetings
Contact the Village	Greene County Combined Health District	Greene County Environmental Services
Helpful Links	Rumpke Trash Collection Information	Village Ordinances