(A) Residential.
(1) When any application is made for utility services for rental or leased in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, all applicants for which the service is requested shall deposit with the application the amount of $100.
(2) When the amount of the deposit provided for above is not sufficient to adequately protect the department, a greater amount than stated above may be required, based on the consumer’s estimated bill for a customary billing period.
(B) Commercial or industrial. In the case of a commercial or industrial user, the advanced payment for each utility shall be a minimum of $100 or an amount determined by the City Council, based upon the history of similar establishments. Where the amount of the deposit provided herein is not sufficient to adequately protect the Utility Department, a greater amount than stated above may be required, based on the consumer’s estimated bill for a customary period.
(C) Security for payment; no interest.
(1) The deposits made under the provisions of this chapter shall be held by the city as security for the payment of utility services used by the applicant upon the premises to which his or her application pertains, and may be so applied when any default is made in the payment in the utilities bill in accordance with this chapter.
(2) The depositor shall earn no interest.
(D) Liability for deposit. The owner of the premises and the tenant thereof shall be jointly and severally liable to pay the required deposit herein established before water and sewer facilities are made available to the tenant-occupied premises. In the case a portion of the deposit is used as aforesaid, the tenant or owner of the premises shall immediately deposit with the City Clerk an amount sufficient to bring the deposit to the established rate of deposit. (Note: the person renting is obligated to pay the deposit unless the owner opts to pay the deposit. Only one deposit required.)
(Prior Code, § 38-2-7)