A. Service Rates And Connection Fees: The rates, penalty fee for delinquency in payment, connection fee, reservoir fee, inspection fee and other charges incidental to connection and services from the city water system shall be fixed from time to time by resolution enacted by the city council. The city council may from time to time promulgate rules for levying, billing, guaranteeing and collecting charges for water services and all other rules necessary for the management and control of the water system. Rates for services furnished shall be uniform with respect to each class or classes of service established or that may hereafter be established. (1979 Code § 14-117)
B. Special Rates: The city council may from time to time fix by agreement or resolution special rates and conditions for users using exceptionally large amounts of water service or making use of the water system under exceptional circumstances, upon such terms and conditions as they may deem proper. (1979 Code § 14-118)
C. Complaints; Corrections: The city council is hereby constituted a board of equalization of water rates to hear complaints and make corrections of any assessments deemed to be illegal, unequal or unjust. They may, if they see fit, rebate all or any part of the water bill of any indigent person. Persons seeking an adjustment on a utility bill will be required to appear in person before the board of equalization to explain the nature of their request. (1979 Code § 14-119; amd. Res. 2003-1, 2-13-2003)
The city treasurer will submit a report to the board of equalization which will include the following account information: the average usage, the current usage, and the cost of the services to the city. The board will then make their decision using the following criteria:
1. The amount of time lapsed before the leak was determined.
2. The frequency of leaks.
3. The circumstances surrounding the leak (cause, age of water line, etc.).
4. The number of times the account has previously been adjusted.
During a twelve (12) month period, the first adjustment to a single account will require that the owner correct the nature of the problem. If a second adjustment is requested during a twelve (12) month period then the board shall adjust only one-half (1/2) of the normal amount. In the event a third adjustment is requested to a single account in a twelve (12) month period, the request shall be denied unless the board of equalization deems that extraordinary circumstances surround the request. (Res. 2003-1, 2-13-2003)
Notes
| 1 | 1. See also chapter 4 of this title. |