(A) Water meters shall be read once per month, and a separate bill shall be rendered for each meter and mailed to the owner of the property.
(B) Charges for utility services shall be billed on one unified bill issued once per month. The bill shall be mailed to the owner at the address of the property at which the utility services are provided unless the owner requests, in writing, the bill be mailed to an alternative address. Charges for utility services are due and payable when rendered and shall become delinquent if not paid by the due date stated on the bill. A late fee in an amount set by resolution of Council shall be charged on all delinquent payments for utility services. Service may be terminated for nonpayment at any time after payment is delinquent. The city reserves the right to vary the dates or length of billing period, temporarily or permanently, if necessary or desirable. All delinquent accounts may be referred to collection at any time at the option of the city.
(C) Prior to terminating service for nonpayment of amounts due, the city will mail written notice of the city's intent to terminate service, stating the date of termination, to the consumer at the address to which bills are sent. A customer who receives a notice of intent to terminate service may, prior to the scheduled date of termination set forth in the notice, request a hearing with the City Manager or his or her designee to dispute the termination. A request for a hearing shall be made in person to the city by the property owner or the property owner's designated representative.
(D) A consumer's water, sewer and/or sanitation service may be disconnected for nonpayment of a bill for water, sewer and/or sanitation service rendered at a previous location served by the city or at the request of the City of Surprise for non-payment of sewer or sanitation charges past due and owing to the City of Surprise.
(E) Fees. The fees set forth herein shall apply in the City of El Mirage. The amount of each fee shall be set by resolution of the City Council.
(1) Late fee: A late fee shall be added to a customer's utility bill for each month the outstanding balance is unpaid.
(2) Disconnect fee: A fee shall be added if service is disconnected due to delinquent payment. This fee shall be collected prior to reestablishment of services to said property.
(3) Establishment fee: A fee shall be added to connect service at properties with existing utility services. This fee shall be collected prior to establishing services to said property.
(4) Emergency turn-on/turn-off and after hours fee: A fee shall be charged per event unless at least 24 hours advance notice is given. This fee will be waived if the problem is determined to be on the city side of the meter.
(5) Same day fee: A fee shall be charged per event for services requested by the customer to be performed on the same business day.
(6) Hydrant meter install and relocate fee: A fee shall be charged to install or relocate a hydrant meter.
(7) Door hanger fee: A fee shall be charged for delivery of payment reminder notification to the property address.
(8) Collections fee: A fee will be added to all delinquent accounts referred to an outside collection agency.
(9) Meter testing fee: A fee will be charged for requesting a special testing of a meters accuracy.
(10) Tampering fee: A fee will be charged whenever someone is found to have tampered with water or sewer facilities.
(11) Returned check fee: A fee will be assessed for all checks returned due to insufficient funds.
(F) Limitation on recovery for utility services (water, sewer and sanitation). Recovery of amounts owed or credits due under this subchapter shall be limited to the 36-month period immediately preceding the date of the most recent billing by the city. However, the city may extend the period when necessary to ensure that charges for water services are just and reasonable in conformity with state statutes.
(Prior Code, § 14-5-3) (Ord. O00-02-05, passed - - ; Ord. O10-06-08, passed 6-24-2010)