(A) Method of billing. Billing and collection of the stormwater management utility service charges for stormwater management services and facilities shall be billed annually under the general administration of the County Manager and shall be payable in the same manner as property taxes.
(B) Delinquencies. Stormwater management utility service charge billings that are not paid within the time allowed for the payment of property taxes shall be collected by any remedy provided by law for collecting and enforcing private debts or in any other manner authorized by law.
(C) Application of payment. Payment will be applied to a customer’s bill in the following order:
(1) Civil penalties assessed pursuant to this chapter.
(2) Stormwater management utility service charge.
(D) Appeal of disputed bills and adjustments. If any citizen wishes to dispute a stormwater utility service charge billing or any other rents, rates, fees, charges, or penalties adopted pursuant to this chapter, that citizen must submit a written appeal within 60 days from the date of billing, stating the reasons for the appeal, and providing information pertinent to the calculation of the billed charge. A timely appeal shall stay the penalty deadlines. An appeal of disputed bill shall be filed with the Stormwater Manager for review and disposition. The appeal will follow a three step process as follows:
(1) Over the shoulder appeals. Property owners are welcome to visit the Planning Department and view their own individual properties to see what was drawn and measured as impervious surface. Obvious errors will be corrected administratively.
(2) Formal appeal. Contested areas will be identified and the owner may complete a petition form and pay a fee to initiate a formal appeal. Upon a formal appeal Stormwater Manager will visit the property and physically measure impervious surfaces. The staff measurement will be used to correct the calculation whether there is a decrease or increase.
(3) Final appeal. If the owner still contests the measurement, the owner may submit a survey performed and sealed by a North Carolina licensed professional a surveyor or engineer, or landscape architect. The surveyor shall use the definition of impervious surface from the state Division of Water Quality.
(Ord. 2013-05-02, passed 6-17-13)