Frequently Asked Questions
Listed below are some questions we hear quite often here at CMS Electric. Just click on any of the questions below and it will take you to the answer to your question.
A. Consumers can always mail their bills in to the office, but if you are out and about you can take them to one of our two offices. The main office in Meade, located at 509 E. Carthage, is on the south side of Highway 54. Our branch office in Coldwater is located at 207 N. Central, just north of the Christian Church, on Highway 183.
A. Your electric bill is due on the 15th of every month, except when the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday.
Q. Can I pay my bill directly from my checking account?
A. Yes, you can now pay your electric bill directly from your checking account. All interested consumers need to do is bring in a voided check and sign an authorization form. It's that simple. If consumers have any additional questions they can call the office from 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday.
Q. Can I set up my account on some kind of budget billing?
A. Yes, we can set your account up on a budget payment plan. CMS takes your bills for the last twelve months and averages them to get your budget payment amount. This service is only available for residential consumers and has several other stipulations, so consumers interested in this plan should call the office during normal working hours.
Q. Does CMS take credit cards?
A. No, we do not take credit cards or debit cards at this time.
A. Meters are read from the 19th to the 25th of every month. These dates depend on weekends and holidays.
Q. What do I do when I have a power outage?
A. You should always call our toll free number when you experience a power outage. Often consumers don't call because they think someone else will report the outage. Sometimes however, they are the only one affected by the outage. As a rule, consumers should always call the office to report things that they feel are important. Downed power lines, poles, and equipment are all good examples of things to call the office. Report any blinking or dimming lights that you might see at your house. Call our toll free number, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll free number is (800) 794-2353 and our local number is (620) 873-2184.
Q. What do I need to do to get a new service?
A. If a consumer wants a new service or meter installed at an existing location or a new location, all they need to do is call the office during normal business hours.
Q. How much does a new service cost?
A. If you are a member of CMS Electric Cooperative, Inc., a new service
will cost you $25 dollars for the connect fee. Then the monthly bills for whatever
type of new service you request. This assumes that you will put the new service
in the same name as your existing service.
If you are not member of CMS Electric Cooperative, Inc., you will need to pay
a one time five dollar membership fee, a $25 dollar connect fee for each account,
and a $150 deposit.
If we need to build line to your new service please call the office for additional
information on line extension costs.