Here are some tips to help in starting services in Lawrence:

Electricity

Westar Energy provides Lawrence residents with electricity. The name of the company used to be Kansas Power and Light and is still often referred to by that name. The customer service number is 1-800-794-6101. Its Web site is www.wr.com.

For residential customers, Westar requires a deposit of twice the average bill.

Early applications receive priority. Seven to 90 days notice usually will assure service when requested, although there may be some delay during peak moving season.

Natural gas

Aquila provides Lawrence residents with natural gas. The name of the company used to be Kansas Public Service/EnergyOne. Services can be set up on the phone or Internet. The customer service number is 1-800-303-0752. The Web site is www.aquila.com.

Most new residential customers are not required to pay a security deposit, but late payments may result in a security deposit being assessed. Aquila will schedule morning or afternoon turn-ons, but no specific times. There is a $7 flat fee per month. Aquila offers a budget payment plan and an automated bank payment plan.

Water, garbage and sewer

The city handles water, garbage pickup and sewer. Applications can be made on the second floor of city Hall, 6 E. Sixth St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.

A $40 deposit is required for most residences. The deposit may be paid in two equal monthly installments starting with the first bill.

Water, garbage pickup and sewer services are billed through Lawrence Utility Building PO Box 708, Lawrence, 66044. The customer service phone number is 832-7878. The fax is 832-3231.

The Web site is www.lawrenceutilitybilling.org.

You, or another person, must be present for a two-hour timeframe when your water turn-on is scheduled. If you can’t be present, you must sign a waiver release form.

You can avoid the two-hour appointment if you are willing to match your turn-on date with the previous tenant’s turn-off date.

By matching these dates, the water service will remain on to allow a meter reading to be taken on the requested service date.

Lawrence Utility Billing also offers Auto Bill Pay, an automatic bank payment plan. Customer service representatives can provide you with details.

Cable television

Sunflower Broadband provides cable television and high-speed Internet service in Lawrence. Offices are at 1 Riverfront Plaza, Suite 301. Customer service phone number is 841-2100. Office hours are at 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Web site is www.sunflowerbroadband.com.

Voter registration

To vote in an election, a person must be registered to vote 14 days before election day. People may register at the county clerk’s office in the Douglas County Courthouse, 11th and Massachusetts streets, or call 832-5267 to request a registration form. State law requires that people who move, even if the move is within the same building, must re-register.

Address changes

Change of address cards are available at the Main Post Office, 645 Vt., and Jayhawk Station, 1901 W. 31st. Post office boxes also are available. Last collection at Main Post Office is 5:45 p.m. weekdays and 4:30 p.m. Saturdays. Last collection at Jayhawk Station is 5 p.m. weekdays and 4 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 843-1681.

Driver’s license

Motorists must notify the Kansas Division of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of a move. For $2, you can get a new driver’s license.

The office of the driver’s license examiner is 1035 N. Third St., Suite 122.

The telephone number is 843-9593. More information can be found at www.ink.org/public/kdor.

If you are seeking a Kansas license and have a valid out-of-state license, a vision test is required. If you move to Kansas and have a valid out-of-state license, the cost for a new license is $14. If you do not have a license, a test is required that costs an additional $3. if you are under 21, a first-time license is $13.

Office hours for testing are 7 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. The office remains open for driver’s license renewals and duplicates until 5:45 p.m. but no tests are given after 5 p.m.

Vehicle registration/license tags

To register vehicles and obtain license tags, go to the Douglas County Treasurer, 11th and Massachusetts streets, or inside Dillons, 3000 W. Sixth St. The Douglas County Treasurer office is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Dillons’ registration/license service is open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. For more information, log onto www.kswebtags.org

Libraries

• Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt.

New residents can get a free library card by showing proof of residency, such as a utility bill with the current address, a student ID or a driver’s license.

• Kansas University libraries

To get a card for the Kansas University libraries, you must be a Kansas resident and present a current Kansas driver’s license or Kansas photo identification. The cards cost $5 and are available at the main desk of Watson Library on Jayhawk Boulevard. For more information, call 864-8983.

Hospitals

City-owned Lawrence Memorial Hospital is at 325 Maine. Its Web site is www.lmh.org.

Newspapers

The Lawrence Journal-World is at 645 N.H. Its phone number is 843-1000. Its Web site is www.ljworld.com

Telephone services

Local telephone service is available at Sunflower Broadband, 1 Riverfont Plaza, Suite 301, and

Sunflower Broadband’s phone number is 841-2100 and its Web site is www.sunflowerbroadband.com.