Residents to receive first mock utility bill Published Feb. 3, 2012 By Ed Slancauskas 14th Civil Engineering Squadron COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Hunt Military Communities held a Town Hall meeting on Oct. 25, to introduce utility allowances and the "mock" billing process scheduled to begin in Columbus Family Housing February 2012. HMC personnel formally introduced the utility program, educated all attendees on how utility allowances are calculated, provided instruction on how to interpret bill statements and addressed related questions or concerns. Columbus Family Housing will implement mock billing in February. The utility allowance is intended to give residents the responsibility for paying their own utilities e.g. electric and gas. Water, sewer and refuse collection is excluded. During the mock billing period residents will receive monthly, no charge, utility statements showing actual utility consumption versus the approved utility allowance. The monthly utility statements will also provide energy conservation tips. The mock billing period is intended to give residents an opportunity to understand the consequences, both positive and negative, of their utility consumption patterns. HMC will use a qualified third-party utility billing company, Minol, to calculate utility usage and provide residents their monthly utility bill. The mock billing period will continue until August 2012. HMC will provide informational flyers and brochures related to mock billing and the Air Force Utility Program to Columbus Family Housing residents throughout this period. Hunt Military Communities will also hold another Town Hall meeting in the near future to answer questions residents may have on the mock billing process or Utility Program itself. Additional information will also be provided on the Columbus Family Housing website and Facebook page. In the meantime should residents have any questions concerning the utility allowance and/or mock billing procedures they should contact Columbus Family Housing personnel.