A. Application For Service; Deposit Required: Every utility customer desiring to have a property or properties connected with the water system shall make application to utility customer service and shall sign a contract therefor upon a printed form to be furnished for that purpose, and shall pay a fee as set by the city council for turning on the water, and shall make a deposit in an amount as set by council to be held by the city as security for the payment of the water bill. No water shall be turned on unless the deposit has been paid.
B. Transfer Of Application And Contract: An application and contract for service is not transferable from one utility customer to another unless written authorization is obtained from utility customer service. Service can be transferred and connected for the same utility customer moving from one address to another by filing a new application and contract and paying any fees or obtaining permits that may be required, such as, but not limited to, houses under construction or newly constructed which will require a new water tap. The utility customer service division may require an update to the utility customer account history, and such information may be acquired by telephone.
C. Transfer Of Deposit: Transferring of a current deposit is acceptable upon application; provided, that prior to such transfer, the deposit amount is equal to the current deposit amount in affect as set by city council.
D. Date Of Service: Service will begin in the name of the utility customer effective on the date the service is actually turned on by the public works department.
E. Contents Of Application:
1. An application shall as a minimum contain at least the true name of the applicant, date of birth, social security number, telephone number, employer, next of kin not residing at the same address, and the service address and mailing address, if different, and such other information as the city may deem necessary in order to ensure effective billing and collection of each account.
2. If the applicant is a corporation, the application must state the name of the president and service agent of the corporation and the designated person responsible for paying utility bills.
F. Copy Of Lease: A legible copy of any written lease in the case of a renter/tenant applying for service shall be attached to the application.
G. Separate Application For Each Connection: A separate application is required for each service connection to the main. If one service connection serves multiple users (such as in an office complex and/or apartment complex, duplex, triplex, etc.), the applicant is responsible for the water usage, monthly bill, deposit, etc., for that connection.
H. New Location: An application for water service will not be processed or approved for a new location until all sums due from the applicant's previous location, if any, have been paid.
I. Payment Of Water Rates: Each utility customer shall be liable to the city to pay for all water used. Water used is based on meter readings.
J. City Use Of Deposit: City reserves the right to apply meter deposits toward delinquent water, sewer and sanitation service bills, and toward unpaid water, sewer service repair bills. If meter deposit is adjusted towards delinquent and/or unpaid bills, it is the responsibility of the utility customer to replenish the deposit within fourteen (14) calendar days after being notified by the city.
K. Authority To Increase Deposit Amount:
1. The city reserves the right to require a higher deposit amount if a customer has received utility service in the past and had utility service suspended for nonpayment. An existing customer's deposit may be increased if any of the following conditions occur: a) utility service is suspended for failure to pay; b) check returned for insufficient funds; c) use of service without proper written city authorization.
2. If a customer's deposit becomes inadequate to ensure payment of bills because of changes to the character or volume of a customer's service, the customer may be required to increase the deposit to an amount equal to the highest bill in the last twelve (12) month period. This higher deposit shall remain with the city to the credit of the person paying same so long as service is continued for the utility customer.
L. False Information: If the customer service department receives sufficient evidence to indicate that a customer has provided false information to establish service at a new location to avoid the payment of charges owing at a previous location, the city shall transfer the charges owed to the current account, and the charges will become a part of the customer's utility bill at which time the entire bill becomes subject to the city's payment policy.
M. New Occupant: If the city leaves a water service connected to vacant premises, it shall not constitute consent by the city for any new occupant of such premises to use the service without making proper application for water service. Occupants using water service without deposit and/or application shall be liable to the city for the deposit amount, as well as payment for all water received, which will be billed at the prevailing rates for all services available at the premises. Said occupant will be required to show a lease or other document specifying when occupancy began and will be billed back to the reading nearest to the date of the lease. Failure to make application and/or deposit may result in immediate termination of service. (5-3-2001)