A. Owner Responsibility: All water accounts under this chapter shall be opened and maintained by the owner of record or the contract purchaser, hereinafter referred to as property owner, of the property to be served. Such property owner shall agree, as a condition of opening any water service account, to be liable for any service or other charges imposed because of such water services, whether such charges are the consequence of use of water or provision of service by the owner or by tenants who have agreed to pay utility charges. The record owner of real property is ultimately responsible for all utility charges which are the obligation of the property served.
B. Unpaid Water Bills: Unpaid water bills and water associated services shall be the ultimate obligation of the owner of the property served. Any property receiving service from the city water system may be disconnected if said services are not paid for as required herein. An owner may allow a tenant to pay utility charges while the tenant is in possession of rented premises, but such action shall not relieve the owner of the ultimate responsibility for the charges accruing to the account.
C. Written Authorization Required: A property owner may authorize a tenant to be his legally authorized agent with a written letter to such effect on record at city hall. In the event legally authorized agent fails to pay charges, property owner shall be ultimately responsible.
D. Discontinuance Of Service; Fee To Reestablish: In the event of a discontinuance of service, the party seeking to reestablish such service shall pay a charge as set by resolution by the city council plus all past arrears.
E. Prorating: The city does not prorate. In the event of rental properties, the property owner shall be responsible for any prorating of all charges incurred by tenants.
F. Due Date: All charges shall be due and payable by the fifteenth of each month. (Ord. 2-2014, 5-12-2014)
G. Monthly Billing; Late Payment Penalty: All bills for water shall be paid monthly to the city clerk on or before the fifteenth day of the month for the previous month's consumption. If not paid on or before the fifteenth of the month, a ten percent (10%) penalty shall be applied exclusively to the overdue consumption, not on unpaid penalty, and attached to the bill. (Ord. 4-2016, 6-13-2016)