Chapter 15.06
ASSESSMENTS, RATES, FEES AND CHARGES
Sections:
15.06.010 PURPOSE.
15.06.015 ASSESSMENTS, RATES, FEES AND CHARGES - ESTABLISHED.
15.06.020 ASSESSMENTS.
15.06.030 RATES - WATER.
15.06.040 RATES - WASTEWATER.
15.06.050 RATES - STORMWATER.
15.06.060 MISCELLANEOUS FEES AND CHARGES.
15.06.010 PURPOSE.
This chapter provides for the establishment of fees, rates and other charges for connection to or utilization of the utility system, for providing utility service, administration and maintenance of utility accounts, and for the operation, maintenance, repair and improvements of the utility system. Fees, rates and other service charges shall include, but not be limited to, front footage fees, general facility fees, connection charges, utility service rates, account maintenance charges, plan check, and system development fees and charges. (Ord. 4729, Reaffirmed, 11/30/2000; Ord. 4675, Amended, 11/30/1999; Ord. 4454 §1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 §2 (in part), 1991)
15.06.015 ASSESSMENTS, RATES, FEES AND CHARGES - ESTABLISHED.
Assessments, rates, fees and charges for services relating to the Department of Public Works and Utilities for water, wastewater, stormwater and other related services are established by resolution or ordinance and are on file with the City Clerk and may be posted or linked on the City of Bremerton’s website.* (Ord. 5131 §1, 2010: Ord. 5103 §3, 2010; Ord. 5070 §1, 2008; Ord. 5051 §1 (Exh. A), 2008; Ord. 5030 §1 (Exh. A), 2007; Ord. 5026 §2 (Exh. A), 2007; Ord. 4990 §1 (Exh. A), 2006; Ord. 4961 §1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 4956 §1 (Exh. A), 2005; Ord. 4909 §§5, 7, 2004; Ord. 4881 §1, 2003; Ord. 4827, Amended, 11/29/2002; Ord. 4794, Amended, 05/07/2002; Ord. 4766, Amended, 08/24/2001; Ord. 4735, Reaffirmed, 11/30/2000; Ord. 4729, Reaffirmed, 11/30/2000; Ord. 4685, Amended, 12/28/1999; Ord. 4675, Added, 11/30/1999)
* Code reviser’s note:
The link to the Rates and Fees page of the City website is: http://www.ci.bremerton.wa.us/display.php?id=1136.
The link to the Utility Rates Table is: http://www.ci.bremerton.wa.us/forms/city/UtilityRates.pdf.
15.06.020 ASSESSMENTS.
(a) General Facility Charge.
(1) A general facility charge (GFC) shall be charged on all new or expanded service connections to the utility system. Existing connections within the system as of the effective date of this Code shall be considered to have paid their proportionate share of the general facility charge for existing use.
(2) The calculation of the general facility charge for water shall be based on the meter size to be installed for a new or expanded water utility service.
(3) The calculation of the general facility charge for wastewater shall be based on the number of equivalent residential unit(s) (ERU) served and shall be computed as follows:
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Single-Family Residence |
1 ERU/unit |
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Duplex (two units) |
1 ERU/unit |
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Multifamily (three or more units) |
0.65 ERU/unit |
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Mobile Home Space in Mobile Home Park (common building at additional commercial rate and laundry areas at laundry rate) |
0.65 ERU per space |
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Recreational Vehicle Waste Dumping Station |
0.65 ERU per station |
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Schools |
0.030 ERU per student capacity |
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Churches (school uses at additional per student capacity rate) |
0.65 ERU per 100 seats |
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Hospitals - General |
1 ERU per bed |
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Convalescent Hospitals |
0.50 ERU per bed |
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Residential Care/Boarding Facilities |
0.25 ERU per bed |
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Hotels and Motels (additional charges for restaurant or tavern at restaurant or tavern rate, laundry areas at laundry rates, and meeting room areas with fixtures at commercial rate) |
0.25 ERU per room or motel unit |
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Food Preparation and/or Serving Areas |
0.15 ERU per 100 square feet |
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Vehicle Wash |
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Self-Service Vehicle Wash |
1.17 ERU per bay |
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Full-Service Vehicle Wash |
15.66 ERU per bay |
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All Other Vehicle Washes |
See Wet Industrial |
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Laundries and Laundromats |
0.30 ERU per 100 square feet |
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Industrial Laundries |
See Wet Industrial |
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Remodels of the above-listed, which result in no increase in the units on which the charge for a new building is calculated, the ERU for the remodel will be calculated on the basis of the fixtures added using the amounts in the Commercial section. |
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Commercial, Office, and Dry Industrial |
Charge for each plumbing fixture to be installed |
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Bathtub w/ or w/o shower |
0.13 ERU |
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Dental unit or cuspidor |
0.1 ERU |
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Dishwasher |
0.1 ERU |
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Disposal |
0.1 ERU |
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Drinking Fountain |
0.05 ERU |
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Floor Drain |
0.01 ERU |
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Fountain/Backwash |
0.1 ERU |
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Kitchen Sink |
0.08 ERU |
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Laundry Tray |
0.08 ERU |
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Lavatory |
0.05 ERU |
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Service Sink |
0.08 ERU |
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Shower (each head) |
0.13 ERU |
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Swimming Pool/Backwash |
0.1 ERU |
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Urinal |
0.17 ERU |
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Urinal Trough (for each two-foot section) |
0.17 ERU |
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Wash Sink (for each set of faucets) |
0.08 ERU |
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Washing Machine |
0.07 ERU |
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Water Closet |
0.33 ERU |
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Wet Industrial |
To be determined on an individual basis by the City utilizing the formula listed below. |
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GFC = (G.P.D./236) x SRF x F |
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G.P.D. = Anticipated volume of discharge to sewer in gallons per day. |
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SFR = Current general facility charge for a single-family residential unit. |
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F = Extra strength factor, whole number multiplier derived for every 330 mg/l of biochemical oxygen demand or suspended solids, or fraction thereof, in excess of the first 330 mg/l of biochemical oxygen demand or suspended solids. |
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Example: |
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Factor |
Range |
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1 |
0 - 330 |
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2 |
331 - 660 |
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3 |
661 - 990 |
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(continues per 300 increment) |
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Undefined Building and Sewer Use |
To be determined on an individual basis by the City. |
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Additional Loading or Change of Use |
Determined on basis of additional loading or new use for entire facility less credit for former use. No refunds if new use is less than former use. |
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(4) The following are the definitions of the classifications used in establishing the ERUs:
"Church" is defined as a building or structure whose principal use is for worship and in which the incidental use for school or recreational purposes is less than twelve (12) hours per week. Church buildings used for school purposes in excess of twelve (12) hours per week shall be charged the GFC per student capacity in addition to the charge per one hundred (100) seats as a church.
"Commercial building" is defined as a building used for conducting of wholesale or retail trade. Dry industrial buildings or structures are those buildings or structures housing light industrial activities where use of water and subsequent discharge of sewer does not occur in connection with the industrial process. Warehouses and other storage buildings with sewer connections are classified as dry industrial buildings.
"Convalescent hospital" (or rest home) is defined as a building or structure used for housing of persons convalescing from illness or injury or persons requiring close personal care. No additional charge shall be made for laundry or food and drink preparation and serving facilities included in the convalescent hospitals.
"Food preparation and serving facility" includes restaurants, taverns, delicatessens, and wholesale and retail bakeries, but does not include canneries, dairies, cheese factories, packing houses and similar facilities, which shall be classified as "wet industrial" under the paragraph addressing wet industrial.
"General hospital" is defined as a building or structure used for the temporary housing of ill or injured persons and containing facilities for medical and surgical treatment of such persons. No additional charge shall be made for laundry and food and drink preparation and serving facilities included in hospitals.
"Hotel" (or motel) is defined as a building or group of buildings used for temporary housing of persons containing rooms or units intended for the use of transient persons. Those areas within hotels and motels to be used for commercial preparation of and serving of food and drink shall be charged at the rate for food preparation and/or serving. Commercial areas within hotels and motels, including convention facilities and other such common areas other than lobby areas, shall be charged at the rate for commercial and dry industrial areas. Areas used for laundry facilities in hotels and motels shall be charged at the rate for laundries and laundromats. Such additional charges for food and drink, commercial areas and laundry shall be in addition to the charge per room or motel unit.
"Industrial laundry" is defined as a building or structure or parts of buildings and structures used for housing and operating laundry equipment for the large scale washing of uniforms, towels, linens, etc. The anticipated volume and strength of the sewage to be generated from an industrial laundry would be considerably more than that from a commercial laundry or Laundromat. Industrial laundries shall be classified as "wet industrial" under the paragraph addressing wet industrial.
"Laundry" and "laundromat" is defined as a commercial building and structure, or parts of commercial buildings and structures, used for housing and operating laundry equipment by the general public to wash clothes and linens for personal use.
"Mobile home park" (including travel trailer parks) is defined as any area or tract of land having a sewer connection, and where sewerage collection pipes are extended to two (2) or more spaces occupied by, or intended to be occupied by a mobile home, travel trailer, or motor home which are defined as a vehicle with or without motive power which is designed, used, or intended for use as a place of human habitation, or as eating, sleeping, or living quarters or any combination thereof. A mobile home space is defined as the individual location having a sewer hookup for each such vehicle. For purposes of determining the GFCs for mobile home parks’ common buildings, such as recreation halls, etc., shall be charged as commercial buildings. Buildings housing laundry facilities shall be charged as laundries and laundromats and food or drink service buildings shall be charged a food preparation and/or serving.
"Multifamily residence" shall be defined as a building or a group of buildings housing three (3) or more families, living independently of each other, a family being defined as one (1) or more person living as a single housekeeping unit or household sewer service being provided through not more than one (1) sewer connection. Common buildings in an apartment house complex requiring sewer service shall be charged as commercial buildings and that portion of buildings housing common laundry facilities shall be charged as laundries and Laundromats.
"Recreational vehicle waste dumping station" is defined as a building or structure used for the dumping of sanitary sewer wastes from recreational vehicle holding tanks. Includes gray water from sinks and showers. (This excludes an individual collector installed by a homeowner for his/her own use.)
"Residential care/boarding facility" is defined as a residential building or structure used for housing of persons requiring either long-term supervision and general care, or any type of dependency recovery. No additional charge shall be made for laundry or food and drink preparation and serving facilities included in the residential care/boarding facilities.
"School" is defined as a building or group of buildings used for school purposes more than twelve (12) hours per week, involving assemblage for instruction, education, or recreation. Schools may be public or private.
"Single-family residence" shall be defined as a building containing one (1) kitchen, designed and/or used to house not more than one (1) family, including all necessary employees of such family, such building having a single sewer service connection. Mobile homes occupying a separate lot and providing permanent housing with a separate sewer connected shall be classified as a single-family residence.
"Undefined buildings" and "undefined sewer use" are those not defined in subsection (a)(4) of this section.
"Vehicle wash" is defined as a commercial building or structure used for washing vehicles. Self-service vehicle washes are coin-operated facilities serving the general public that require the customer to wash the vehicle. Full-service vehicle washes are facilities serving the general public, wherein the vehicle is washed for the customer, either automatically or by attendants. All other vehicle and parts washing or steam cleaning facilities that discharge to the sanitary sewer will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
"Wet industrial" is defined as a building or structure housing industrial activities where the use of water and subsequent discharge to the sewer occurs in connection with an industrial process. Facilities with a discharge of two hundred thousand (200,000) gallons per day or greater are considered wet industrial. Other facilities that discharge less than two hundred thousand (200,000) gallons per day, and whose anticipated strength of the sewage to be generated from the facility is greater than domestic sewage strengths, may also be considered wet industrial. Those facilities will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The anticipated volume and strength of sewage from an average single-family residence shall be considered when calculating GFCs.
(5) Additional loading or change of use is defined as an increased demand for wastewater treatment from an existing wet industrial building or structure. The additional loading may be the result of replacement or addition to an existing structure or facility, a change in use, or a fifteen (15) percent or greater increase above the permitted volume or character of the wastewater constituents being discharged.
(6) ERUs shall be determined on the basis of the number of single-family residence equivalent units with the additional loading or the new use with credit being given for the number of single-family residence equivalent units of the original facility. No refund will be given if the change of use results in a decreased sewer loading. Any addition to an existing single-family residence which does not result in an additional dwelling will be exempt from additional charge.
(7) The calculation for general facility charges for stormwater shall be based on the number of impervious surface units (ISUs) as defined in BMC 15.01.020. The number of ISUs charged shall be based on the total impervious area divided by the amount of impervious area in an ISU. However, all single-family residential parcels as defined in BMC 15.01.020 shall be one (1) ISU. For commercial developments, wherein the City requires that the development provide for onsite detention, the ISUs charged shall be based on the number of acres (5.4 ISUs per acre).
(8) For non-city residents, all GFCs shall be assessed and paid at the time of execution of the utility service agreement and prior to occupancy of the new or expanded facilities and shall be in addition to rates and other fees, assessments, and charges established for utility service. For city residents, twenty-five (25) percent of all GFCs shall be paid at the time of issuance of a development (grade and fill) permit and the remaining balance, in addition to rates and other fees, assessments, and charges established for utility service, shall be paid at the time of execution of the utility service agreement.
(b) Connection/Inspection Fee. A connection/ inspection fee shall be charged for all service connections to the utility system. Additional fees may be charged if a reinspection is required as a result of the property owner/developer’s failure to comply with the correction notice from a prior inspection, inaccessibility of facilities for scheduled inspections, or an unsafe site. The connection/inspection fee or deposit shall be assessed and paid at the time of execution of the utility service agreement.
(c) Change in class of service or ERU assignment. When a change occurs which would place the customer in a different class of service or change the ERU assignment from that on which general facility charges have been paid, an additional general facility charge shall be charged. The additional fee shall be the difference between the general facility charge, calculated at the current rates, based on the current class of service and ERU assignment, and the general facility charge that has already been paid.
(d) Wastewater Connection Agreement. A wastewater connection agreement may be executed between the City of Bremerton and a user who desires to obtain wastewater service for an existing residential or nonresidential structure connected to a septic system. The wastewater connection agreement, negotiated on a case- by-case basis, will allow the user to make payments on any connection fee in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000) over a period of time ranging from one (1) to five (5) years.
(e) Capital Reserves. The general facility funds collected under this chapter shall be deposited in the utilities capital reserve fund and used only for utility system capital improvements. (Ord. 4909 §6, 2004; Ord. 4729, Reaffirmed, 11/30/2000; Ord. 4675, Amended, 11/30/1000; Ord. 4512 §3, 1995; Ord. 4496 §2, 1995; Ord. 4454 §1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 §2 (in part), 1991)
15.06.030 RATES - WATER.
(a) Retail Water Rates. A general retail water rate shall be assessed all users of the utility water system. The retail rate shall be calculated on a periodic billing with a minimum service charge based on meter size and a commodity charge computed to the nearest HCF.
(1) Sprinkler and Fire Protection Service. The Department shall levy a general fire service charge to users of the utility water system for fire service provided. The fire service rate shall be billed on a periodic billing and shall be based on the meter size.
The service charge herein set forth shall be granted only during such times as there is no appreciable registration by meters maintained by the Department. Water used for purposes other than extinguishing fires through a fire service connection shall be charged at a rate not less than double the domestic rate provided by this Chapter.
(2) Temporary/Construction Meters. Persons desiring temporary water service from a fire hydrant, hose connection, or meter for the purposes of construction, special events, or other activities that are limited in duration shall make application to the Department on the form provided and make a deposit established for temporary/construction meters.
Temporary/construction meters shall be limited to six (6) month duration and may be renewed subject to approval by the department.
The rate shall be calculated on a periodic billing with a minimum service charge based on the meter size and a commodity charge computed to the nearest HCF.
(b) Wholesale Water Service. The Department may sell water to water districts or other public agencies. Such service shall be through a wholesale contract, under such terms and under such conditions as shall be deemed fair and equitable by the City. All wholesale water contracts shall be subject to Mayoral approval and City Council authorization. (Ord. 4729, Reaffirmed, 11/30/2000; Ord. 4675, Amended, 11/30/1999; Ord. 4454 §1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 §2 (in part), 1991)
15.06.040 RATES - WASTEWATER.
(a) Retail Wastewater Rates. A general retail wastewater rate shall be assessed of all users of the Utility wastewater system. The retail rate shall be calculated on a periodic billing with a minimum service charge and a commodity charge computed to the nearest HCF.
The retail rate shall be based on flow and strength of sewage discharged by the user of the system.
Flow shall be determined by the metered amount of domestic water usage.
Flows for summer usage for single-family, duplex, and multifamily residential customers shall be determined based on the previous six (6) month average winter domestic water usage by the customer, provided the account was active for at least two (2) billing periods of the preceding six (6) months. The calculation period shall be determined by the Department based on usage and billing cycles. In no case shall this calculation for summer usage result in a volume less than two and one-half (2.5) HCF per month.
In the event the customer is not connected to a public water supply that utilizes a domestic water meter, the flow shall be determined by the Department based on the average flow of the like customer class.
Strength shall be determined by the loadings discharged by the customer and shall be segregated into like customer classes based on their respective sewage strengths.
(b) Multiple Residential/Commercial Units on Single Meter. Any commercial account that has residential living units above the commercial business and/or multiple business suites/buildings served by a single meter will be assessed a monthly flat fee based on the total number of units at that location. The commercial account discharge strength will determine the sewer rate level.
(c) Commercial or Industrial Out of Class Discharge. Any commercial or industrial account that is connected to the City of Bremerton sewer system and the amount of wastewater discharged or the strength of the wastewater discharge for that property is different than those defined by the current billing rates will need to be assessed on an individual basis. The assessment will be determined and approved by the Department and a special billing rate will be established for that business. (Ord. 5131 §3, 2010: Ord. 5054, Amended, 08/20/2008; Ord. 4766, Amended, 08/24/2001; Ord. 4729, Reaffirmed, 11/30/2000; Ord. 4675, Amended, 11/30/1999; Ord. 4454 §1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 §2 (in part), 1991)
15.06.050 RATES - STORMWATER.
(a) Surface Drainage/Stormwater Rates. A general retail stormwater rate shall be assessed all property owners who contribute to or benefit from the utility stormwater system.
Rates shall be determined by the approximate amount of impervious surface area of developed parcel, including publicly owned property and right-of-way.
Impervious surface, measured in equivalent impervious surface units (ISUs) shall be determined for each developed property, except single-family or duplex uses which shall be assigned the minimum rate.
(b) Improper Stormwater Inflow to Wastewater System. A rate shall be assessed on all property owners who have an improper stormwater discharge to the wastewater system pursuant to the Utility Fee and Rate Schedule established for stormwater by City Council ordinance.
Rates shall be based upon the approximate amount of impervious surface area of the property. The impervious surface area, measured in equivalent impervious surface units (ISUs), shall be that used for the stormwater rates elsewhere in this chapter.
Payment of the improper stormwater surcharge shall be terminated when the property has disconnected all sources of the improper stormwater inflow from the wastewater system.
The service rate for maintaining an improper stormwater inflow connection to the wastewater system will be identified on the utility billing statement as "Stormwater Facilities Impact" fee.
(c) Stormwater rate classes are as follows:
(1) Residential.
(i) Stormwater I. The basic stormwater service rate.
(ii) Stormwater II. This rate consists of the basic stormwater fee, plus fifty (50) percent of the current stormwater fee as the "Stormwater Facilities Impact" fee. This class may have a driveway drain of not more than four hundred (400) square feet of impervious surface draining into the sanitary sewer system and no other improper connection to the sanitary sewer system.
(iii) Stormwater III. This rate consists of the basic stormwater fee, plus one hundred (100) percent of the current stormwater fee as the "Stormwater Facilities Impact" fee. This class has a driveway drain with more than four hundred (400) square feet of impervious surface draining into the sanitary sewer system and/or more than one (1) improper connection to the sanitary sewer system.
(2) Commercial.
(i) Commercial I Stormwater. The basic commercial stormwater fee.
(ii) Commercial II Stormwater. The basic stormwater fee, plus fifty (50) percent of the current stormwater fee as the surcharge. This class may have no more than four hundred (400) square feet of impervious surface where stormwater runoff is collected by a roof drain, parking lot drain, driveway drain or any other device that conveys this runoff into the sanitary sewer system. This does not include stormwater runoff that is collected from under fueling station canopies since these areas are required to be connected to the sanitary sewer system. However, roof runoff from the canopy is not allowed to be connected to the sanitary sewer system. This class may not have more than one (1) improper connection to the sanitary sewer system.
(iii) Commercial III Stormwater. The basic stormwater fee, plus one hundred (100) percent of the current stormwater fee as the "Stormwater Facilities Impact" fee. This class has more than four hundred (400) square feet of impervious surface where stormwater runoff is collected by a roof drain, parking lot drain, driveway drain or any other device that conveys this runoff into the sanitary sewer system. This does not include stormwater runoff that is collected from under fueling station canopies since these areas are required to be connected to the sanitary sewer system. However, roof runoff from the canopy is not allowed to be connected to the sanitary sewer system.
(d) Rate Adjustments. Rate adjustments for water quantity and water quality pursuant to the Utility Rate Schedule will be applied to all multi-family (three (3) or more units), commercial, and industrial development which provide for the installation of on-site water quality and quantity improvements which meet all System Development and Construction Standards. Eligibility will require the treatment of stormwater discharges prior to entry into the utility stormwater system and the reduction of the amount of stormwater discharges into the utility stormwater system to an amount not to exceed two-tenths (0.2) cubic feet per second, CFS per acre based on a twenty-five (25) year storm.
All new development will be required to install water quality and quantity improvements prior to connection to the stormwater system and will receive the rate adjustment upon successful completion of the installation. Application for building permits or fill/grade permits must include standard stormwater quality and quantity improvement plans. If topography, soils, location or lot size make on-site detention impractical, new development may be permitted, but a penalty shall be assessed pursuant to the Utility Rate Schedule if stormwater runoff from the developed property exceeds three-tenths (0.3) CFS per acre based on a twenty-five (25) year storm.
The facts set forth in this subsection shall apply only if the on-site or other facility that has received an adjustment in its rates is maintained and operated in accord with any City standards applicable at the time of billing. In the event that the Director determines that the system is not properly operated and maintained, the rate reduction shall be discontinued until deficiencies are corrected in addition to other remedies provided in this chapter.
(e) Exempt Properties.
(1) All parcels of property that are undeveloped.
(2) All public rights-of-way.
(f) Public School District Properties. Parcels owned or leased by public school districts which provide activities which directly benefit the surface and stormwater management program. The activities may include: curriculum specific to the issues and problems of surface and stormwater management and student activities in the community to expose students to the efforts required to restore, monitor, or enhance the surface and stormwater management system. Pursuant to RCW 35.92.021, the amount of the service charge shall be determined by the Director, based upon the cost of the activities to the school district, but not to exceed the value of the activity to the stormwater management program. Determination of which activities qualify for the stormwater management service charge reduction will be made by the Director. Reductions in stormwater management service charges will only be granted to school districts which provide programs that have been evaluated by the Director. The service charge adjustment for the school activity may be applied to any parcel in the service area which is owned or operated by the school district.
(g) Implementation Schedule for Annexed Properties. When annexed to the City, all multiple family and commercial properties with two (2) or more ISUs will receive the rate adjustments described above per ISU for two (2) years from the date of annexation; provided, the property owner submits engineering plans and specifications for on-site stormwater quantity and quality improvements for their property within nine (9) months of annexation, and said plans are approved by the Department according to System Development and Construction Standards. Failure to comply with any of the aforementioned provisions will result in these accounts being charged at the retail stormwater rate beginning one (1) year from annexation. (Ord. 5026 §3, 2007: Ord. 4734, Reaffirmed; 11/30/2000; Ord. 4729, Reaffirmed; 11/30/2000; Ord. 4684, Amended, 12/28/1999; Ord. 4675, Amended, 11/30/1999; Ord. 4496 §3, 1995; Ord. 4454 §1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4442 §5, 1993)
15.06.060 MISCELLANEOUS FEES AND CHARGES.
The Department shall set fees and charges to recover its administrative and operations expenses related to the services set forth herein.
(a) Automatic Clearing House (ACH). All customers who utilize the ACH system for payment of their utility bill will be allowed a credit on each bill. Such credit will commence with the billing following application and approval for ACH.
(b) Low-Income Senior Citizens and Low-Income Disabled Citizens. Only single-family residential accounts are eligible for the rates described in this section. To qualify for the low-income senior citizen rate, the individual shall meet the criteria established by RCW 74.38.070(2)(a). To qualify for the low-income disabled citizen rate, the individual shall meet the criteria established by RCW 46.16.381(1) or 74.18.020(4) and RCW 70.164.020(4). In order to remain eligible for these rates, the applicant shall be required to reapply each year with the Department.
(c) Service Fee - Field. A service fee shall be charged for all service calls to the owner’s premises. Service calls shall include, but not be limited to, turn-on/turn-off of water services as a result of delinquent payment of accounts, after hours utility location requests, and repeat service calls during normal work hours.
After hours, weekend, and holiday service requests shall require acknowledgment by signature of the requesting party on the form which identifies the additional service and fee provided by the service specialist. The service fee shall be added to the regular utility bill.
A fee shall be levied in the event it is necessary to remove and restore surface improvements, including but not limited to asphalt concrete and concrete streets and sidewalks, in order to install a service connection or other utility improvements.
(d) Service Fee - Office. A service fee shall be charged for all account maintenance, including, but not limited to, activation and discontinuation of the utility account, changes in address, designated agents, duplicate billing, and property liens. The service fee shall be added to the regular utility bill.
(e) Delinquency Charge. A delinquency charge of one (1) percent per month shall be added to the unpaid balance of each and every utility bill which is not paid on or before such bill becomes delinquent.
(f) Cross-Connection Control Inspections. The Department shall charge a fee for the required annual inspection of backflow prevention devices if the customer requests the Utility to perform such service.
(g) Fire Hydrant Services. The Department may enter into agreements with owners of private fire systems for hydrant repairs and maintenance.
(h) Grinder Pump Surcharge. The Department may enter into agreements to service customers with individual grinder pumps. An individual service charge shall be assessed to the customer for the city’s operation and maintenance of these pumps as set forth in Appendix A of this chapter. (Ord. 5103 §2, 2010: Ord. 4729, Reaffirmed, 11/30/2000; Ord. 4675, Amended, 11/30/1999; Ord. 4454 §1 (in part), 1994; Ord. 4309 §2 (in part), 1991)