(A) Reading of meters. On or about the tenth of the month, meters will be read and given to the office to key in. At this time, if any account indicates that there is exceptional high usage, the Water Department will re-check the reading.
(B) Billing. Water bills will be mailed to the customers the first of each month.
(C) Penalty. On the sixteenth of the month, bills that are not paid a 10% penalty will be posted to the accounts.
(D) Shut offs. On the twenty-sixth, all paid accounts will be posted and a delinquent list of all customers will be given to water supervisor for shut off of water and sewer service.
(E) Re-connection fee. A flat rate of $20 will be charged for re-connection after delinquent water bill payment.
(F) Bad checks. Bad checks will result in an automatic shut off service and a $50 NSF fee and a $20 re-connection fee will be charged.
(G) Tampering. No water from the city water supply shall be turned on for service on any premises by any person, but the Superintendent of Water or some person authorized by him or her to perform this service. A fine will be charged along with a $20 re-connection fee.
(H) Rental property and buying on contract.
(1) Renters and customers buying on contract will be required to have a service deposit of $80 in full so that water bill will be placed in their name. When the officer has knowledge of renters moving out of the property, owners of the property will be contacted to determine if water is to be left on or turned off. The owners of any property will be responsible for any bill that is not paid by renters or customers buying on contract after application of the service deposit on the bill.
(2) Deposits will be refunded when a customer moves and a final bill is paid. Transfers of deposits can only be done if the final bill at the previous address is paid in full. If a renter or customer buying on contract moves out of a property and there is a balance owed after application of the deposit, that balance must be paid before any customer, whether renter or buying on contract, can receive water service at any location. That customer, in addition to paying the outstanding bill, will be required to pay an $80 deposit again to have the bill placed in his, her or their name.
(I) Leaks. All adjustments will be approved by Council.
(1) Leaks or frozen pipes may qualify for an adjustment under these conditions.
(2) No adjustment will be made if the leak or frozen pipe is inside house or under foundation.
(3) Adjustments are made if leak is in the customers yard in the ground between the water meter and the foundation of the house. The average usage for the household the past six months will be used to make adjustments.
(4) Customers will only have one adjustment.
(5) Leaks not going into the sewer line inside house or under foundation may qualify for a sewer adjustment. The average usage for the past six months will be charged.
(J) Meter hook-up. The following fees shall apply and be paid for each connection to a water main for the city water works:
(1) $750 for a five-eighths inch meter in the city limits;
(2) $950 for a five-eighths inch meter outside the city limits; and
(3) Any meter in excess of five-eighths inch shall be $750 or $950, plus cost of meter.
(4) Service pipe installations. If the water service must cross a city or state road or alley that requires boring and casing, the cost of that boring and casing shall be borne by the applicant for the service or the owner of the property being served.
(K) Effective date. This section shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.
(L) Disconnection for nonpayment.
(1) It is the policy of the city to discontinue utility service to customers by reason of nonpayment of bills only after notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard on disputed bills. The city's form for application for utility service and all bills shall contain, in addition to the title, address, room number, and telephone number of the official in charge of billing, clearly visible and easily readable provisions to the effect:
(a) That all bills are due and payable on or before the date set forth on the bill; and
(b) That if any bill is not paid by or before that date, service will be discontinued for nonpayment; and
(c) That any customer disputing the correctness of his or her bill shall have a right to a hearing at which time he or she may be represented in person and by counsel or any other person of his or her choosing and may present orally or in writing his or her complaint and contentions to the city official in charge of utility billing. This official shall be authorized to order that the customer's service not be discontinued and shall have the authority to make a final determination of the customer's complaint.
(2) Requests for delays or waiver of payment will not be entertained; only questions of proper and correct billing will be considered. In the absence of payment of the bill rendered or resort to the hearing procedure provided herein, service will be discontinued at the time specified, but in no event until the charges have been due and unpaid for at least 30 days.
(Ord. 10, Series 2009-2010, passed 3-22-2010; Ord. 5, Series 2010-2011, passed 2-14-2011; Ord. passed 8-17-2015; Ord. -, Series 2017-2018, passed 3-20-2017; Ord. 3, Series 2018, passed 5-7-2018; Ord. 50, Series .02, passed 2-1-2021; Ord. passed 7-11-2022)