(A) Bills for water and sewer service shall be invoiced no later than the fifth day of the month for water and sewer services consumed in the previous billing cycle. Bills for water and sewer service shall be due and payable in the office of City Hall on or before the twentieth day of each month. To each bill not paid on or before the due date, there shall be added a penalty of 10% of the amount of the overdue bill.
(B) It is the policy of the city to discontinue utility service to customers by reason of non-payment of bills, only after notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard on disputed bills. The city's bill shall contain, in addition to address and phone number of the official in charge of billing, clearly visible and readable provisions to the effect:
(1) That all bills are due and payable on or before the twentieth;
(2) That if any bill is not paid by or before that date; a notice will be mailed containing a shutoff date;
(3) That any customer disputing the correctness of their bill shall have the right to a hearing at which time they may present orally or in writing of their complaint and contentions to the City Council. The City Council has final authority to adjust bills and/or finalize utility shut-off;
(4) Customers can enter into a reasonable payment agreement at any time prior to the hearing at City Council and a shut-off direction from the Council. Payment agreements that are not honored will be subject to disconnection without notice;
(5) When an account has a returned check, the account will be charged an NSF fee which is set by the City Council on the annual fee resolution. If any account becomes delinquent due to a returned check, only cash or credit card payment will be accepted for the outstanding balance;
(6) Any delinquent bills as of 4:00 p.m. the day prior to shut off will be charged the reconnection fee as set by the City Council annual fee resolution; and
(7) When it becomes necessary for the city to disconnect utility services for non-payment of bills, service will be reinstated only after all bills and reconnection fees have been paid.
(Ord. 20-03, passed 7-14-20)