(A) The city utility shall fairly, and without discrimination, administer the utility policies for collection of delinquent accounts according to the following guidelines.
(1) All delinquent accounts must be paid in full before a customer is reconnected at a new location. This policy shall apply to all customers, both residential and commercial.
(2) Full payment of all the outstanding utility bill and associated fees must be made to maintain or reconnect existing service.
(3) When an account is considered delinquent, a courtesy notice will be sent to the customer on the first day of the month.
(4) If payment has not been received by the Tuesday before the second Thursday of the month, a notice of disconnection of service shall be prepared and hand-delivered by city personnel. The notice shall be on bright red/orange paper and attached to the front door of the residence if the customer is not at the residence or property.
(5) Disconnection of service shall occur at 2:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month. If a disconnection is to take place on a holiday, the disconnection shall take place the next business day.
(6) Upon the notice of disconnection of service leaving the Finance Office, an additional fee, as set by resolution of the City Council, shall be applied to the delinquent account.
(7) The disconnection notice of service shall include the delinquent amount, finance fee, and the additional fee, and must be paid before 2:00 p.m. to avoid disconnection of service. If the service meter is disconnected, the delinquent amount and accompanying fees, plus the current utility amount and a reconnection fee, as set forth by resolution of the City Council, must be paid before any service is restored.
(8) No consideration shall be given to any customers relative to extending the time of payment of such utility bills after the notice of disconnection of service has been delivered, except be granted by the City Council for cause at any regular or special meeting.
(B) (1) After the account has been disconnected for at least five business days with no payment received, the account will be closed out.
(2) The final amount for the account will include the original charge, plus the associated fees, and the most recent meter reading charge and reconnection fee, minus the service deposit.
(3) The amount due will then be taken to small claims court for collection. According to §§ 51.19(B), 52.01(C), and 53.035(A), the owner of the property is responsible for payment of the utility bill before any service is restored.
(Prior Code, § 15-1-8.1)