(A) Water service charges will be billed for any lot, parcel of land, building, enterprise, residence, or premises provided an active water service connection or device drawing water from the village water system. Owners of property shall be held responsible for water used on their premises, but statements may be mailed to another designated person or entity, such as an agency or tenant. If the designated person, entity or tenant does not pay in accordance with the “Rules and Regulations,” the owner shall be responsible for payment. Account delinquency shall be just cause for terminating services, which will be resumed only upon full payment of the delinquent charges. Responsibility of payment rests with the current property owner. It is the responsibility of the prospective property owner to inquire of possible delinquent charges which may be assumed upon ownership. This information will be given upon request to the village.
(B) Water service charges will be based upon readings taken from meters installed in accordance with the village specifications, or in such manner and by such method as may be practicable in the light of the conditions and attendant circumstances of the case, as determined by the village.
(C) Water meters shall normally be read every month. In the event the meter is not read, the average of the preceding quarter shall be used in determining the monthly user charge. If so, the bill will be marked “estimate.” The bill for the month following reading of the water meter shall include an adjustment for the quarter.
(D) Should the village be unable to render monthly bills because of labor shortage or some other deficiency, the bill may be rendered for a shorter or longer period, but at the same monthly rate.
(E) Utility bills are sent out on about the last day of each month and must be paid by the tenth (“due date”), unless the tenth is a weekend or legal holiday, in which payment will be due on the next business day. Partial payments are acceptable, but any amount not paid by the due date shall be considered delinquent and subject to a “late payment penalty” as determined by the village. A night deposit slot is located on the west side of the Town Hall for convenience. If the utility bill is still not paid by the “shut off” date as indicated on the bill (the 18th), service will be discontinued and not reconnected until all charges have been paid in full. The Public Works employee cannot accept payment for delinquent bills. The village will leave a disconnect notice at the property indicating service has been disconnected and will remain so until payment in full of all outstanding obligations are made. Any costs to terminate and reactivate water service will be added to the delinquent charges. There will be no exceptions to the above unless granted by the Village Administrator. Any disputes on utility bills must be brought to his or her attention before the bill becomes delinquent.
(F) If the owner/tenant disputes a water bill, he or she shall contact the Village Administrator before the due date, to arrange a meeting to resolve any billing disputes. The village shall not discontinue water service if a meeting is pending with the Village Administrator and owner/tenant.
(G) The receipt by the village of a check for the payment of a water bill that is not honored by the bank will be considered non-payment, and the village will proceed with discontinuance of water service and other collection activities as set forth in this section. If an owner within a 12-month period provides the village with two dishonored checks, the owner in the future must pay his or her water bill in cash or by certified funds or money order, until further notified by the village.
(H) In the collection of water bills, the Village Administrator or his or her designee has the discretion to certify the amount not paid, together with any penalties and other charges, to the Shelby County Auditor and/or collect the past due amounts together with penalty and charges by actions of law in the name of the village from an owner who is liable to pay the bill.
(I) The Village Administrator has the discretion to arrange a payment agreement with an owner for past due bills in the event of extraordinary circumstances.
(Ord. 1036-93, passed 3-23-1993; Am. Ord. 1451-05, passed 7-26-2005; Am. Ord. 1517-08, passed 3-25-2008; Am. Ord. 1546-09, passed 10-27-2009; Am. Ord. 1654-14, passed 7-8-2014)