(a) Anyone tendering a check which fails to clear through the banks and is returned to the utility billing office shall be assessed a service charge of $35.00. This charge will be made against the premises served, if the maker of the check or other negotiable instrument maintains water service connections, in the same manner as charges for water or sewer service.
(b) Upon receipt of a bad check, identified by the bank as returned for non-sufficient funds, the utility billing office will notify the maker, by certified mail, that the check was returned, and payment in full, including all service charges must be made within ten days of receipt of said notice. If payment is not made by the date stated, or if the customer refuses to claim the certified letter, the matter will be turned over to the Police Department for investigation and possible criminal prosecution.
(c) Upon receipt of a bad check, identified by the bank as returned due to the account being closed, no notice shall be sent to the customer. All checks received written on a closed account will be immediately referred to the Police Department for investigation and possible criminal prosecution.
(d) In the event the check is not made good, any receipts for payment shall be void, the indebtedness shall be restored to the account, and the status of the account shall be as before. Returned checks submitted for payment of a delinquent account are subject to immediate termination of service.
(Ord. 01-2010. Passed 4-1-10.)