A. Established: All water sold by the village shall be sold at the following rates:
1. A minimum fee of Forty-Five Dollars and Twenty Cents ($45.20) plus tax per month for each water meter.
2. An additional fee of Six Dollars and Twenty-Seven Cents ($6.27) plus tax for each one thousand (1,000) gallons usage, or fraction thereof, of monthly metered water use from four thousand one (4,001) gallons to ten thousand (10,000) gallons, inclusive; and an additional Seven Dollars and Eighty-Six cents ($7.86) plus tax for each one thousand (1,000) gallons usage, or fraction thereof, of monthly metered water use greater than ten thousand (10,000) gallons.
3. In the event that water service has been turned off pursuant to section 7-1A-3 of this article, the minimum fee of Ten Dollars and Sixteen Cents ($10.16) plus tax per month for each water meter shall be charged in lieu of the rates set forth in subsections A1 and A2 of this section.
4. Effective each year on July 1, the water rates are authorized to increase based on the annual average change in the U.S. consumer price index-all urban consumers (CPI-U) as compiled by the bureau of business and economic research, University of New Mexico and published in March of each year.
B. Surcharge: Effective for bills based on April 2022 meter readings, a surcharge of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) per ¾" meter shall be due each month; a surcharge of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) per 1" to 2.9" meter shall be due each month; a surcharge of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) per 3" or larger meter shall be due each month. All surcharge revenue shall be divided evenly between water distribution improvements/maintenance and right of way improvements/maintenance and shall not be used for operating costs.
C. Billings: Penalty: Water meters shall be read monthly subject to Section 7-1A-8 of this article and, if need be, statements for service may be billed in prearranged monthly customer cycles to expedite billing and payment. All water bills shall be due and payable on or before the next fifteenth (15th) day of each month which immediately follows the mailing of the statement, therefore. If not paid by the twenty fifth (25th) day of the month immediately after the due date, a penalty of ten percent (10%) of the amount of only that month's charges shall be added thereto and paid by the water user in addition to the basic charge. The delinquent customer shall be liable for reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred by the Village in securing payment on delinquent accounts in addition to the other remedies of the Village provided in this Code.
D. Discontinuance Of Service: In case there shall be any water charge delinquent and the supply has been turned off, the water shall not be turned on again until all water charges, plus a turn on fee have been paid in full. If payment of any price, fee or other charge for water, sewer service, refuse collection, or street maintenance is not made within thirty (30) days from the date when written notice that payment is due is mailed, the water service may be discontinued and shall not be again supplied to the person liable for the payment until the arrears with late fees have been fully paid.
E. Liability For Payment: The charges established by this article shall be payable by the owner of the premises served, unless the owner notifies the Village in writing prior to the initiation of the debt that utility charges incurred by a renter will not be the responsibility of the owner. Such notification shall include the location of the rental property. (Ord. 347, 11-12-2008; amd. Ord. 391, 7-13-2021; Ord. 398, 4-12-2022)