Hovde v. Village of Waunakee

Because Hovde’s deposit is not a "customer contribution” it is not subject to the utility rule. The village is free to honor its contract.

To "contribute” is to "give something, to a common purpose.” Black's Law Dictionary 297 (5th ed. *4971979) (emphasis added). Hovde gave nothing to the village or the electric utility. His contract with the village contemplates that all of his deposit will be returned upon his performance of his contract. The contract required Hovde to make a deposit with the village to induce the village to install an underground electric distribution system. A "deposit”…