925.10 PAYMENT OF CHARGES AND FEES.

   (a)    All charges for connection and permits shall be payable upon application.

   (b)    Charges shall be billed monthly or quarterly, and payment shall be made in accordance with regulations established by the City Manager. At the option of the Finance Director, such charges shall be payable at the same time as water bills.

   (c)    Payments shall be made at the Utility Collection Office or office designated by the City Manager.

   (d)    If the bill for services remains unpaid, the water connection to the property shall be shut off at such premises as soon as practicable and in accordance with the bylaws and regulations established by the City Manager for water service.

   (e)    A penalty of ten percent (10%) shall be added to each charge if it is not paid promptly at the time established by the Finance Director.

   (f)    Bills ninety days or more in arrears shall be turned over to the Law Director or other authorized personnel for collection.

   (g)   Each charge or rental levied by or pursuant to these rules is hereby made a lien upon the corresponding lot, land or premises served by a connection to the wastewater system of the City; and if same is not paid within thirty days after the due date, it shall be certified to the County Auditor, who shall place the same on the tax duplicates of the County, with interest and penalties allowed by law, and it shall be collected as other taxes on the property are collected.

   (h)    Customers disputing a utility bill may appeal to the office manager of the utilities billing office within ten days of the billing date. The office manager will document the billing objection, review the account, and determine the nature of the dispute. If the dispute is a result of operations of the billing office, the office manager shall authorize resolution of the dispute. If the dispute is technically based, the dispute shall be remanded to the Public Utilities Director. If the Public Utilities Director determines that an adjustment is warranted, a determination shall be issued in writing. A customer may appeal a determination of the utilities billing office or Public Utilities Director to the Director of Finance. The Finance Director shall review the claim and make final determination. Once a determination has been made, the account shall no longer be considered in dispute.

   (i)    The Public Utilities Department will perform an audit annually with the findings to be published and made available for public inspection. Current user rates, and any pending rate increases, will be published annually as part of the normal monthly bill. The notice will itemize those portions required for debt service charge and for sewer service charge.

(Ord. 25-14. Passed 4-14-14.)