(A) The city’s policy for collection of invoices sent to individuals and/or businesses for services rendered (not including regular monthly utility charges) or for the cost incurred from repairs done as a result of damages to city-owned property, including all associated labor and materials shall be that the invoices be paid in full within 30 days from the date listed on the invoice.
(B) If the individual and/or business has city utilities with the city and if the invoice has not been paid in full within 30 days, the total amount of the invoice may be added to their utility bill on the next billing cycle and shall be paid in full by the fifteenth of the month. Otherwise the balance will be subject to all penalties and shut-off policies associated with a utility bill.
(C) If the individual and/or business does not have city utilities with the city and the invoice is not paid in full within 30 days the invoice will be assessed a late penalty fee of 10% per month on the unpaid balance including any previous late fees.
(D) Collection process for closed (final) bills. The following is the process for collecting any unpaid balances of closed utility accounts.
(1) An initial final bill is mailed to the customer with any and all utility charges for services through the final date of usage.
(2) Thirty days after initial final bill is mailed, the account is reviewed to determine if the customer is still a city utility customer.
(3) If they are a customer, and the balance has remained unpaid, the entire balance will be transferred to the current account (address). This makes the current account a candidate for penalties and disconnection, should the balance not be paid.
(4) If they are no longer a customer, it is verified the city does not owe the individual any monies that may have been held as a deposit. Please note, deposits have not been accepted since 2013. Since then, connection fees have been required. Connection fees are non-refundable, as stated on the original application for service.
(5) A second notice is mailed. Previously a warning was not printed, now all second notices for final bills state:
“ALL possible avenues will be pursued to collect any unpaid balances. This may include the assistance of a third party collection agency.”
(6) Should the account become more than 90 days delinquent, the account is submitted to a collection agency. The city’s current collection agency is Online Utility Exchange. Online Utility Exchange becomes responsible for all further collection efforts.
(7) If a customer challenges the balance due, the city will provide a history to verify the amount due.
(Ord. 13-1126-63, passed 11-26-2013; Ord. 18-0123-148, passed 1-23-2018; Ord. 22-0412-282, passed 4-12-2022)
Cross-reference:
Termination of utility service for nonpayment of bills, see §§ 50.01 through 50.03