A. Set By Resolution Of Council: Every person, company or organization receiving water service from the city shall pay a minimum monthly water service charge, as shall be set from time to time by resolution of the city council. The monthly user fee shall be based on the amount of water used and the amount of fire and health protection provided by the municipal water supply system. (Ord. 12-550, 6-11-2013; amd. Ord. 16-561A, 11-8-2016)
B. Deposits: Each new customer desiring water service shall make application with the city clerk. Before such service shall be instituted, the applicant shall pay a deposit, established by resolution. After one year of good credit history, the deposit shall be refunded to property owners. For tenants, the deposit shall be applied against any amount owing the city for water user charges, and any amount of the deposit in excess of those charges shall be refunded the customer at the time the service is discontinued.
C. Disconnection For Nonpayment; Charge For Returned Checks:
1. Notice: All fees for water sold, furnished, supplied or delivered by the city shall be due and payable on the first of the month, and if not paid by the twentieth day of the same month a disconnect notice will be sent by U.S. mail to the customer on the twenty first day of the same month. (Ord. 14-555, 1-27-2015; amd. Ord. 16-561A, 11-8-2016)
2. Returned Check Charge: There will be a charge rendered for any dishonored or returned check received in payment on an account. The amount charged shall be established by resolution approved by the mayor and city council and shall include the actual costs for all checks which have been returned without payment, for any reason.
3. Disconnection For Noncompliance: The public works department shall disconnect, in accordance with the provisions of this section, the water system connection of any customer who has failed to comply with the provisions of this chapter. The public works department shall not disconnect the water system prior to forty eight (48) hours after the hand delivery of, or five (5) days after the mailing of the disconnect notice.
4. Additional Charges: The city treasurer may issue a disconnection notice for any delinquent bill, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and all services for a customer receiving such notice by mail or other delivery may be disconnected without further notice. After the issuance of a disconnection notice and at the time of disconnect, a disconnect charge in an amount established by resolution approved by the mayor and city council will be made and added to other amounts due from the customer. When service has been disconnected for nonpayment of bills, it shall not be reconnected to the same customer except upon payment of all prior billing for service at this account and all other accounts for this customer. If a customer turns on or causes to be turned on a disconnected service, the public works department may again turn off the service using any means to ensure that service may not be reconnected by the customer or an agent of the customer and an additional disconnect charge may be assessed and/or the actual cost for disconnection including replacement costs for any damaged equipment, whichever amount is greater, in addition to other amounts due from the customer.
5. Reestablish Credit: On the failure of any customer to comply with the terms of this chapter regarding the payment of bills and where the deposit has been refunded, the city treasurer may require the customer to reestablish credit in the manner specified for original service.
D. Liens: All delinquent charges or fees, as provided by this chapter, not paid after the final determination of the water user's account shall be imposed as a lien against and upon the property or premises against which such charge or fee is levied or assessed, and the city clerk shall certify such delinquencies together with all penalties to the tax collector of Elmore County, and, when so certified, the same shall be a lien upon the property and will be collectible as other taxes.
E. Reconnection Fee: Each time a public works department representative returns to a customer's premises to reconnect a service, an additional fee, established by resolution approved by the mayor and city council, shall be charged and collected from the customer before service is restored. When same day service restoration is requested, the service restoration fee shall be an additional fee as established by resolution.
F. Liability Of Landlord Or Owner: In the event that a premises is vacant or there is no responsible party on file with the city, the owner of such premises or landlord of such premises shall be liable to the city for the payment of any charges incurred. This includes all charges incurred between the time a tenant vacates the premises and the premises is reoccupied by a new tenant.
G. Interest Added On Delinquent Accounts: The city may apply interest to all delinquent accounts at a rate established by the law of the state of Idaho on money owed after the same becomes due. (Ord. 12-550, 6-11-2013; amd. Ord. 16-561A, 11-8-2016)