(A) Included on utility bill. The applicable fee for utility or sanitation service shall be billed as a separate item on the regular billing for water/sewer/sanitation service by the city and the charge shall be payable at the Collections Office in the same manner and within the same penalty-free period as required for payment of charges for water and sewer service.
(1) Effective January 1, 2024 and each January thereafter for water/sewer/garbage service within the corporate limits of the city. The annual percentage increase of the water, sewer, and garbage line item for the U.S. Department of Labor Consumer Price Index starting with the percentage for 2022 shall be applied one year later on January 1, 2024 at a max of 5% with the exception of charges for garbage this year only. The 2023 annual percentage rate shall be applied on January 1, 2025 in the like manner, and annually thereafter similar adjustments shall be applied to:
(a) Administrative and billing charges;
(b) Each user charge per 1,000 gallons;
(c) Minimum bills.
(2) Effective January 1, 2024 and each January thereafter for water service outside the corporate limits of the city. The annual percentage increase of the water, sewer, and garbage line item for the U.S. Department of Labor Consumer Price Index starting with the percentage for 2022 shall be applied one year later on January 1, 2024 at a max of 5%. The 2023 annual percentage rate shall be applied on January 1, 2025 in the like manner, and annually thereafter similar adjustments shall be applied to:
(a) Administrative and billing charges;
(b) Each user charge per 1,000 gallons;
(c) Minimum bills.
(B) Fee exception for elderly or handicapped persons.
(1) Effective July 1, 2011, the minimum monthly water charge and monthly sanitation service fee stated in this title shall not apply to family residential units located in the city which are occupied by the homeowner, provided that the occupant is on a fixed income due to being blind, disabled, or 62 years of age or older, provided that the total family income does not exceed 40% of HUD median income for Boyd County, Kentucky, for that fiscal year, provided that such financial incapacity is proven and established to the satisfaction of the City Manager, or his or her designee, by sworn affidavit or other properly authenticated records.
(a) If such provisions apply, the minimum monthly water usage charges effective January 1, 2023 shall be $3.77 per month.
(b) Also, if such provisions apply, the administrative and billing charge, effective January 1, 2023 shall be $5.79 per month.
(c) The monthly sanitation fee shall be $17.75.
(2) Any fee reduction granted must be renewed annually by the homeowner by January 1. Failure to renew exemption applications January 1 of each year will result in termination of the exemption.
(3) Renewal of expired exemptions, or new exemptions, may be granted at any time during the year, however, no retroactive exemptions shall be granted.
(C) Customer accountable. The utilities customer in whose name the water meter account is carried shall be held responsible for payment of the full amount of the utility and sanitation service charges billed, which total amount shall be based on the number of households served.
(D) Payments credited pro-rata. All utility payments are credited pro-rata to water, sewer and sanitation.
(E) Separate bills. In instances where it is not feasible or possible to utilize such utility bills for notifying sanitation service customers of service charges payable, separate bills may be issued and shall be payable within ten days after the date of rendering.
(F) Proper authority. The city may demand proof of proper authorization to renters by the property owner regarding provision of all services, fees and charges.
(Ord. 36, 2023, passed 3-24-23)