Chapter 13.24
UTILITY BILLING AND COLLECTION
Sections:
13.24.010 Combined billing statement.
13.24.020 Delinquent accounts.
13.24.030 Late charges.
13.24.040 Shutoff and restoration fees.
13.24.050 Tenant billing.
13.24.010 Combined billing statement.
Combined billing statements for water and sewer utility service provided by the city of Kittitas shall be sent to all customers monthly. The city shall charge a full month's water and sewer rate for any portion of the month's occupancy. All bills shall be mailed to the address of the owner of the property being served by the utilities, as the address appears in the records of the city utility department. Upon written request of an owner, billing statements may be sent directly to the occupant of the property being served; however, in such cases, the owner shall remain ultimately liable for payment of the bill, and the property shall remain subject to a utility lien for a delinquent account as provided below. (Ord. 00-614 § 2).
13.24.020 Delinquent accounts.
All payments on the utility bills shall be applied first to the sewer account and second to the water account with billing for the most recent service receiving last priority. In the event that any fees or charges assessed for such services are not paid within 15 days after mailing of the bills for such services, they shall be considered delinquent and subject to additional delinquent charges and shall automatically constitute a lien against the property to which the services were rendered. Such a lien, for up to four months of utility service charges, shall encumber the property and shall be the obligation of the owner of the property, its heirs, successors and assigns, until the same is paid in full. The city may enforce the lien by shutting off water and sewer service at 45 days past due (60 days from billing date) and until all delinquent and unpaid charges are paid in full. (Ord. 00-614 § 3).
13.24.030 Late charges.
A late charge of $5.00 shall be imposed when an amount is 15 days overdue. An additional late charge of $5.00 shall be imposed at 15-day intervals until the delinquent account is paid in full. Delinquent and late charge notices shall be mailed to customers at 15-day intervals until all delinquent and unpaid charges are paid in full. (Ord. 00-614 § 4).
13.24.040 Shutoff and restoration fees.
A fee of $25.00 to shut off the water and sewer service shall be imposed when utility service is terminated for a delinquent account. A fee of $50.00 shall be imposed to restore utility service to a property on which utility service is terminated for a delinquent account. (Ord. 00-614 § 5).
13.24.050 Tenant billing.
Utility bills may be in the name of the owner or tenant in accordance with the following policies:
(1) Commercial Accounts. Commercial ac-counts that are metered separately for each unit may be billed to the tenant. All other accounts are billed to the property owner. Final bills will be processed for tenants of commercial accounts. Billings made in the name of the tenant do not relieve the property owner of liability for payment of charges incurred by the tenant including delinquent charges.
(2) Residential Accounts. Residential property owners may file a written request to have water and sewer billings made to the tenant in residence. The property owner shall be responsible for all billings not paid by the tenant, including lien fees, delinquent charges and court fees.
(3) It is the property owner's responsibility to notify the city of any change in billing procedure. (Ord. 00-614 § 6).