(A) The fee shall be billed on the Franklin municipal utility bill on the same cycle and frequency as the utility bill for the property. The Board of Commissioners shall determine the most effective method of billing. Billings for any particular billing cycle shall be made by the due date shown on the bill. Any payment not received by the delinquency date as shown on the utility bill shall be considered delinquent, and the city may disconnect and terminate utility service(s) to the premises and pursue collection remedies in accordance with all applicable sections of the city’s code relating to the collection of delinquent accounts. Said sections are incorporated herein by reference.
(B) If a bill is rendered to a party who is not the property owner and the bill becomes unpaid and/or delinquent, then the property owner shall bear the responsibility of payment.
(C) A delinquent fee that is not paid by the delinquency date shown on the bill will incur a penalty of 10% of the bill.
(D) The fee, including the penalty of 10% of the total bill, when overdue, shall constitute a lien on the real property and may be collected by a suit against the property owner and/or occupant or by and through an in rem action against the property.
(E) The Board of Commissioners may abate the fee, including penalties, if the cost of collection is reasonably estimated to exceed the amount of the fee, including penalties, due and payable.
(Ord. 2015-004, passed 3-23-2015)