It is the purpose of this chapter to provide for the collection of public utility rates, assessments, charges, deposits, penalties for late payments or rentals for public utilities, for service within the city boundary, and to provide a lien for public utilities furnished by the city.
('77 Code, § 17.015) (Ord. 128, eff, 2-28-52; Am. Ord. passed 9-17-84; Am. Ord. passed 3-1-93; Am. Ord. passed 7-6-99)
(A) The city shall have as security for the collection of any public utility rates, assessments, charges or rentals (hereinafter collectively referred to as rates) due or to become due for the use or consumption of public utilities supplied to any house or other building or any premises, lot or lots, or parcel or parcels of land; a lien upon the house or other buildings and upon the premises or lot, or lots, or parcel or parcels upon which the house or other buildings shall be situated, or to which the public utility was supplied. The lien shall become effective immediately upon the supplying of the public utility services to which the rates apply, but shall not be enforceable for more than three years thereafter.
('77 Code, § 17.016)
(B) The lien created herein shall be enforced by the city by charging the amount of delinquent rates as part of the tax roll of the city in the manner prescribed by the Charter.
('77 Code, § 17.017)
(C) The official records and accounts of the city of the public utility shall constitute evidence of the amount and of the pendency of the lien. Payment of the amount of these rates shall discharge the lien and receipt for payment shall constitute evidence of the payment thereof.
('77 Code, § 17.018)
(Ord. 128, eff, 2-28-52; Am. Ord. passed 9-17-84; Am. Ord. passed 3-1-93; Am. Ord. passed 7-6-99)
(A) The city shall discontinue any public utility service to any premises whenever any person shall fail to pay in full the rates and charges for public utility services within a period of 30 days from the due date of the rates. At least one week before discontinuation, the customer at the premises and property owner shall be notified by first-class mail of pending discontinuation.
(B) Within one week from the date of the first-class mailing referred to in division (A) of this section, the customer may file a complaint in writing disputing the validity of the reason for discontinuation of service. The customer shall pay within three days of the filing of the complaint all amounts not in dispute.
(C) The city shall investigate the intent to informally resolve the dispute. In the event the dispute is not resolved, an administrative hearing shall be held before any three of the following officials: City Clerk, Deputy City Clerk, City Treasurer, Deputy City Treasurer, Mayor, City Administrator or Utilities Superintendent.
('77 Code, § 17.021) (Ord. 128, eff, 2-28-52; Am. Ord. passed 9-17-84; Am. Ord. passed 3-1-93; Am. Ord. passed 7-6-99)
(A) The city may institute suit for the collection of rates which have been unpaid for a period of 60 days after the due date thereof in any court of competent jurisdiction, but no attempt to collect public utility rates by any process shall in any way invalidate or waive the lien provided for in § 54.02.
('77 Code, § 17.022)
(B) Utilities will be re-established after being shut off for non-payment of bills only after payment of the full amount owing, and after a $20 turn-on fee is paid.
('77 Code, § 17.025)
(C) A public utility account serviced by the city is held to be delinquent if the current and any past bills have not been paid by the due date listed on the billing statement and in the city utility records.
('77 Code, § 17.027)
(D) A penalty fee equal to 1½% of the unpaid balance shall be added to any utility account which is not paid in full by the due date listed on the utility billing and in the city utility records.
('77 Code, § 17.028)
(Ord. 128, eff, 2-28-52; Am. Ord. passed 9-17-84; Am. Ord. passed 3-1-93; Am. Ord. passed 7-6-99)
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