A. The authority shall install a meter on the service of every person using water.
B. All meters put in by the authority shall be and remain the property of the authority and shall not be removed unless the use of water on the premises be entirely stopped or service connections discontinued or abandoned.
C. In all cases where meters are lost, injured or broken by carelessness or negligence by the owners or occupants of premises, they shall be repaired or replaced by the authority, and the cost shall be charged against the owner or occupant. (Prior code § 18-22)
D. In the event of the meter getting out of order or failing to register properly, the consumer shall be entitled to an administrative review of the water bill. Procedures for the administrative review shall be developed by the Duncan utilities authority, and shall be heard by the city attorney. The consumer shall be required to post a bond which will be in an amount equal to an estimate based on the average monthly consumption during the last three (3) months the same was in good order.
1. The city attorney may administratively adjust, in his or her discretion and for the purposes of equity, any billing when presented with evidence showing:
a. A billing was incorrectly charged;
b. The user did not actually utilize the service charged; or
c. A service line broke, which was promptly repaired, though any adjustment arising from such a water loss shall not exceed a period in excess of two (2) consecutive billing periods.
Any adjustment decision of the city attorney shall be administratively final.
2. Upon completion of the consumer's administrative hearing, the consumer's bond shall be surrendered to the utilities authority to satisfy any disputed billing, and/or be credited to the consumer's next billing cycle.
3. During the pendency of any utility fee dispute, and upon the proper posting of bond, the utilities authority shall not interfere with the consumer's utility service. (Ord. 1758, 9-13-2016)