Chapter 14.80
BILLING
Sections:
14.80.020 Separate bill for each meter.
14.80.030 Adjustment--Unmetered use.
14.80.040 Service fees less than thirty days.
14.80.060 Delinquent accounts--Service discontinuance--When.
14.80.070 Delinquent accounts--Service discontinuance--Several locations.
14.80.080 Delinquent accounts--Recontinuance of service--Requirements.
14.80.090 Delinquent accounts--Recontinuance of service--Unauthorized.
14.80.110 Adjustment--Leakage or loss.
14.80.120 Inspection frequency.
14.80.010 Periods.
Bills for metered service shall be monthly. Meters shall be read at approximately equal intervals for the preparation of periodic billing. Special readings shall be taken for opening or closing bills. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.80.020 Separate bill for each meter.
Each meter on a customer’s premises shall be billed separately, and the readings of two or more meters will not be combined unless the water system, for operating convenience or necessity, installs two or more meters in place of one. Water service bills may be combined with sewer bills for the same premises over the same billing period. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.80.030 Adjustment--Unmetered use.
If a customer uses water for which no bills have been issued, the water system shall install a meter and determine an average bill for a period of twelve months last past or for as much of the past twelve months as the customer has been occupying or in possession of the premises without paying bills. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.80.040 Service fees less than thirty days.
For opening bills, closing bills and monthly bills rendered for periods of less than thirty days, the base utility rate will be prorated. (Ord. 419, 2005: Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.80.050 Payment.
Bills are due and payable on presentation. Payment shall be made in the commercial office or other place or places designated by the city council. Partial utility payments shall be credited to the sewer service account first and the balance credited to the water account. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.80.060 Delinquent accounts--Service discontinuance--When.
A. All bills are due, in full, by the twentieth of each month. If not, a delinquent late charge fee shall be assessed. Fee to be established by resolution of the city council.
B. If not paid within five days after the delinquent date the city may discontinue service without further notice. (Ord. 358, 1997: Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.80.070 Delinquent accounts--Service discontinuance--Several locations.
If a customer receives service at more than one service location and the bill for any one of that customer’s accounts becomes delinquent and service is discontinued, service at all other locations may also be discontinued. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.80.080 Delinquent accounts--Recontinuance of service--Requirements.
Water services discontinued because of delinquency in payment or upon customer’s request shall not be turned on until all charges together with a turn-on charge of five dollars are paid. In case of delinquent payment, a cash deposit shall be made to reestablish credit. The deposit shall be treated as an application deposit. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.80.090 Delinquent accounts--Recontinuance of service--Unauthorized.
If, after a service is discontinued for delinquency in payment, service is resumed without authorization, the meter may be removed, and a twenty-five dollar charge made for restoring service. This charge is in addition to all other charges and deposits. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.80.100 Disputed accounts.
In case of dispute as to payment of a bill previously delivered, the customer shall present the utility receipt, cancelled check or other satisfactory evidence of payment before the city may make an adjustment or correction. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985).
14.80.110 Adjustment--Leakage or loss.
A. A bill may be adjusted allowing for a leak or loss of water only when evidence clearly shows that the excessive delivery is due to leaking pipes or fixtures and not wasteful use or the consumer’s acts, omissions or negligence.
B. An adjustment may be made only after repairs are made and the city is satisfied that the leak or loss will not again occur. No adjustment or allowance may be made covering more than two consecutive billing periods including the one in which the same was requested. No more than one adjustment or allowance may be made to the same customer for the same premises in any twelve-month period.
C. The water system shall determine the amount of excess delivery by calculating the average bill in accordance with its standard method and subtracting that amount from the total water delivered.
D. Adjustments ordinarily will be made on the basis of one-half of the excess delivery but, in the case of concealed leaks in underground or unexpected pipes, full excess may be allowed.
E. The quantity of water for which an adjustment is made shall be charged to the customer at the lowest rate applicable to the particular water service connection affected.
F. All other water delivered shall be charged at the regular rates applicable to the customer’s account. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.80.120 Inspection frequency.
After the water system makes an inspection of a customer’s premises on account of excessive water use or upon the request of the customer, or for other reasons, no further inspections shall be made for a period of six months; however, the manager may order an inspection at any time if in his opinion conditions warrant it. Additional inspections will made provided the customer pays a nonrefundable inspection fee of forty dollars. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)