A. Reading Meters: Water meters will be read on approximately thirty (30) day intervals and billing for service will normally be sent monthly. Whenever it is not possible to read meters during any billing period, an estimated bill may be prepared, which will be based upon previous usage and other available information. The estimated bill will be adjusted when the next actual reading is obtained.
B. Billing Term: Billing for water service activated from the first through the fifteenth day of the month will be billed during the current month. Billing for water service activated from the sixteenth through the end of the month will be billed in the following month.
C. Minimum Rate: Meters showing no water use or use up to two thousand (2,000) gallons, will be billed the minimum rate. The minimum rate will not be applied to lawn meters.
D. Meter Readings Rounded: Meter readings will be rounded down to the nearest one thousand (1,000) gallons. For example, if a reading shows a quantity between five thousand (5,000) and five thousand nine hundred ninety nine (5,999) gallons has been used, then the bill will show five thousand (5,000) gallons of water used in that period.
E. Payment Of Bills; Due Date: Water bills are due and payable upon receipt. Bills must be paid by the fifteenth day of the month to avoid incurring a late payment penalty of the prevailing rate set by city council. If the bill is not paid by the due date, water service will be subject to being discontinued.
F. City Services Combined For Billing: Water bills may be combined with billings for other city services such as, but not limited to, sewer and solid waste refuse collection.
G. Customer Responsibility: It shall be the responsibility of every customer, whether owner or tenant, to keep the city advised of the customer's correct mailing address. The failure of any customer to receive water bills shall not be a valid excuse for failure to pay bills when due.
H. Service Discontinued; Penalty Imposed: If water service is discontinued for a customer who has a past due and delinquent utility account, the amount due shall be the current utility bill plus the penalty and any arrears. No water service shall be reestablished until all bills and charges are paid and as well as any increase in deposit required by utility customer service. In certain instances, if utility customer service determines that a meter or any other related property should be removed from a customer's premises to prevent the unauthorized taking of city water services, a charge at the prevailing rate will be charged to the customer's account for resetting the meter.
I. Extension Of Time For Payment: The customer service department may grant an extension of time to pay a utility bill. If the facts warrant, such extension may be granted but may not exceed fifteen (15) days. Failure to comply with any extension agreement may result in disconnection of service without further notice, and extensions will be not be granted for one year from the date of the noncompliance of the extension agreement.
J. Charge For Returned Check: A charge at the prevailing rate shall be levied when any check given in payment of water, sewer, sanitation or other service charges is returned from the bank after payment is refused for any reason. A returned check is considered nonpayment of a bill. In the event two (2) such returned checks are made to the city for utility service within any preceding twelve (12) month period, payment of each monthly bill by such customer for the next twelve (12) month period shall be by certified cashier's check, cash or money order.
K. Collection Of Accounts In Default: On utility accounts which are found to be in default, the public works department may institute all collection remedies available to the city, including, but not limited to, collection agency services. If the city obtains a judgment against the utility customer in a suit to collect money owed, the cost of such action, including attorney fees, interest and court costs shall be paid in full prior to renewal of services. (5-3-2001)